Cervical Dislocation Open Access Articles

Cervical Dislocation Open Access Articles

Cervical dislocation is a common method of animal euthanasia. It refers to a technique used in physical euthanasia of small animals by applying pressure to the neck and dislocating the spinal column from the skull or brain. Cervical dislocation is the manual, rapid separation of the cervical vertebrae with accompanying lethal trauma to the spinal cord. Cervical dislocation when performed without prior anesthesia should be scientifically justified and approved by the IACUC and personnel should demonstrate proficiency with the technique (AVMA, 2007). When performed correctly, cervical dislocation appears to be a humane method of euthanasia. This technique may be used in smaller species, typically those weighing less than 200 g. The technique involves immobilization of the head and rapid disarticulation of cervical vertebrae, preferably by use of specialized equipment such as a cervical dislocator, though this may be performed manually by quick and firm traction and pulling of the body in a direction away from the head. Cervical dislocation can be performed manually or mechanically and is a common method of on-farm euthanasia in the commercial poultry industry. Cervical dislocation may not cause immediate unconsciousness (AVMA, 2013). When cervical dislocation is properly executed, it results in rapid separation of the brain stem from the spinal cord via dislocation of the axis vertebra from the C1 vertebra.


Last Updated on: Nov 25, 2024

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