Using CO2 is horrifying. Why isn't helium asphyxiation the standard for feeders?

All Reptiles Feeders
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OK, here goes.

Probably one of the most painful, scary ways to die is by high levels of carbon dioxide. It induces panic and fear, and a huge range of physiological distress symptoms. Yes, it can be fairly quick. But every mammal and bird’s respiratory system is basically ready to trigger a huge number of endocrine and neurochemical cascades to get you the hell out of there if you start breathing too much CO2. That’s because of evolution…we are evolved to get out of high-CO2 environments.

On the other hand, helium is not present in our natural environment in more than trace amounts. In particle accelerators and other places cooled with liquid helium, you have to constantly wear a sensor on top of your hat (since helium rises) that tells you if a helium leak has started. If one starts and you don’t have a sensor, you won’t know until you pass out and possibly die. No panic or physiological distress, you just get a bit giggly and then fall over, and suddenly you’re talking to St. Peter.

I know that it’s seen as the humane gold standard to use CO2 for killing rats and mice and baby chicks and quails, but why? It seems horrible.

Helium tanks are available from any party store etc., they’re not hard to obtain. I’ve previously made helium chambers to humanely dispatch of pet rodents suffering from cancer or other untreatable ailments. It was always a little sweet, because these old, very ill animals would have about 3-5 seconds of acting “happy,” much like their younger selves for a brief flash, and then they were just gone. No frantic running around or squeaking in terror. It looked genuinely peaceful.

It is not difficult to build a helium chamber for these purposes, and can be done for a few dollars, but it does take a little thought and consideration (it doesn’t work the same as CO2 because helium rises and is very light). If anyone wants a rough sketch of the plan for the helium chamber I have built and used, I’m happy to provide.

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Thanks for the info. I do use CO2 for rats.

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A simple google search will inform you that euthanizing any animal with helium is a violation of animal cruelty laws and is, therefore, illegal. So choosing to performing any at-home, DIY euthanasia using helium (or any inert gas) can result in federal charges, fines, and/or imprisonment

And with that being the case, there will be no posting of plans for how to do this

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The American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia were developed to provide guidelines on the most humane forms of euthanasia and should be followed when euthanizing feeders for the welfare of the animals. While they do not mention helium, they do mention Nitrogen and Argon specifically as unacceptable agents:

S2.2.3 Unacceptable Methods
S2.2.3.1 Inhaled agents
Nitrogen and argon—Administration of N2 or
Ar is only acceptable in anesthetized mammals, as a coexisting O2 concentration of < 2% is necessary to achieve unconsciousness and death. Achieving that condition is difficult. In addition, Ar has been shown to be highly aversive to rats. Although N2 and Ar
can kill animals, other methods of euthanasia are preferable.

In addition, at least one study has found that euthanasia by helium causes epileptiform activity before the cessation of neocortical activity and for a longer duration, making it unsuitable as an alternative to CO2.

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