Euthanasia, redux
[Graphicness warning.]
We had to go and kill more mice yesterday. How wonderful that all these pups became 16-17-18 days old, right when the person who needs them at that age is on vacation. Dozens of adolescent pups, all piled in a cage. We may have had as many as 50.
Normally, when you're CO2ing them, they just sort of get sleepy, move slower, and then go unconscious. This time, about 3/4 of the way there, a lot of them suddenly moved/twitched at the same time. I don't know if it was coincidence or not, but it was scary.
I participated concretely this time. I broke the necks of the last six or so. They're so small and soft and fragile, and their necks break so easily. Granted, these are not adult mice, but still. It's easier than breaking a toothpick.
We had to go and kill more mice yesterday. How wonderful that all these pups became 16-17-18 days old, right when the person who needs them at that age is on vacation. Dozens of adolescent pups, all piled in a cage. We may have had as many as 50.
Normally, when you're CO2ing them, they just sort of get sleepy, move slower, and then go unconscious. This time, about 3/4 of the way there, a lot of them suddenly moved/twitched at the same time. I don't know if it was coincidence or not, but it was scary.
I participated concretely this time. I broke the necks of the last six or so. They're so small and soft and fragile, and their necks break so easily. Granted, these are not adult mice, but still. It's easier than breaking a toothpick.