Criteria for Euthanasia of Moribund Animals

• Rapid weight loss (>20% in 1 week)
• Extended period of weight loss progressing to emaciation
• Diarrhea or vomiting if debilitating or prolonged (more than 3 days).
• Rough hair coat, hunched posture, distended abdomen, or lethargy if debilitating or prolonged (more than 3 days)
• Respiratory distress (dyspnea) or cyanosis.
• Persistent cough, rales, wheezing, or nasal discharge.
• Persistent bleeding from any orifice.
• Persistent anemia leading to debilitation.
• Distinct icterus (jaundice; yellow color to skin).
• Markedly discolored urine, polyuria, or anuria if prolonged (more than 3 days).
• Central nervous system signs such as head tilt, tremors, spasticity, seizures, circling, or paresis if associated with anorexia and if hindering animal’s ability to obtain food or water.
• Paralysis.
• Persistent lateral recumbancy.
• Impaired mobility or lesions interfering with eating, drinking, or ambulation.
• Tumors:
  •  that are >10% of the animal’s original body weight
  • with a mean tumor diameter >2 cm in mice
  • with a mean tumor diameter >4 cm in rats
  • that are ulcerated > 1 cm diameter
• Extensive necrotic tissue or skin ulceration (>10% body surface affected).
• Excessive or prolonged hyperthermia or hypothermia (more than 3 days).
• Persistent self-induced trauma.
• Clinical signs of suspected infectious disease requiring a necropsy for diagnosis.
• Other clinical signs judged by experienced veterinary or technical staff to be indicative of a moribund condition.