Tzika E. D., Sbiraki A., Kritas S. K., Alexopoulos C., Kyriakis S. C.

ABSTRACT: This paper records the latest aspects on the euthanasia of pigs e.g. killing of animals under humane conditions without pain and distress. The loss of consciousness, the cardiac and respiratory arrest and the block of brain function, with or without secondary manipulations e.g. puncture of major blood vessels, are all basic principles of euthanasia. Methods of killing pigs are described, and in particular those methods applied on special cases such as wounded, paralyzed and toxemic animals. Or pigs affected with highly contagious diseases or zoonoses, ot pigs used for diagnostic purposes. Basic rules for the evaluation of the appropriate euthanasia methods are analyzed, with special reference to the advantages and disadvantages of various euthanasia techniques employing electric stunning, CO2 or CO exposure, barbiturate injections, shooting gun and strike with a blunt instrument. Finally, these issues are discussed under the current situation of the Greek pig industry together with the responsibilities of the practicing veterinarians in the field of animal production.