The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians is making its "Guidelines for euthanasia for nondomestic animals" available for purchase.

In addition to sections covering aspects of euthanasia and methods of euthanasia, the guidelines include taxon-specific recommendations for invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, montremes (egg-laying mammals), marsupials, bats, nonhuman primates, rodents and small mammals, marine mammals, sea otters, carnivores, hoofstock, swine, and megavertebrates.

The guidelines have been endorsed by a number of groups, including the American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, American College of Zoological Medicine, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, Canadian Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians, and Wildlife Disease Association.

Veterinarians in practice who may have occasion to euthanize nondomestic animals should consider having the 111-page document on their bookshelves, according to the AAZV.

The AVMA has taken a lead role in developing criteria for euthanasia of domestic and captive nondomestic animals. These and other existing guidelines have been developed primarily for domestic animals, but include limited information on laboratory and nondomestic animals. There was a need, according to the AAZV, to more specifically address euthanasia in the broad range of taxa and circumstances for euthanasia of captive nondomestic species and free-ranging wildlife. The information in the guidelines is an extension of general information and principles that are found in previously published guidelines.

The "Guidelines for euthanasia for nondomestic animals" can be ordered only online at the AAZV Web site, www.aazv.org. Price is $75 per copy, plus shipping and handling charges of $10 for North American addresses and $15 for addresses outside North America. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Hilsenroth, AAZV executive director, at (909) 225-3275 or rhilsenrothAAZV@aol.com.