This severs the medulla spinalis at the bottom of the brain or within the cervical spine area. Cervical dislocation is generally only conducted on small animals. A cervical dislocation means a ligament injury within the neck has occurred, and two (or more) of the adjoining spine bones became abnormally separated from one another, causing instability. Patients can have a cervical fracture or dislocation, or both. "Cervical dislocation may be a common method of animal euthanasia. It refers to a way utilized in physical euthanasia of small animals by applying pressure to the neck and dislocating the vertebral column from the skull or brain. The aim is to quickly separate the spinal cord from the brain so as to provide the animal with a fast and painless death; however, research on this method has shown it doesn't consistently concuss the brain and should not cause instantaneous insensibility. Firm pressure is applied at the bottom of the skull, along side a pointy pinching and twisting of the thumb and forefinger. At an equivalent time, the tail is pulled backward.