Veterinarians will need to begin making alternative humane euthanasia plans for animals in their care as a nationwide shortage of pentobarbital deepens, reports the Chronicle of the Horse.
The low inventory wasn't reported immediately; veterinarians began to have trouble obtaining pentobarbital when their orders were backordered or unavailable because of supply chain issues. It was added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's list of animal drug shortages in May.
To combat the dwindling supply, the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy and other animal care organizations are urging vets to adhere strictly to dosing guidelines and to consider alternative euthanasia methods.
In anticipation of a potential continued shortage, the AAEP has published guidelines for preferred humane euthanasia methods, including gunshot, captive bolt or combinations of other drugs. The organization notes that right now they have not received calls from members about the issue and that the alternative methods are humane when done by a trained veterinarian.
It is unclear when the pentobarbital shortage will be resolved.
Read more at Chronicle of the Horse.
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