The Science of Transitional States of Consciousness and Euthanasia.

Abstract

The science of transitional states of consciousness is reviewed. Despite intensive study, determining the subjective experience of animals during transitional states of consciousness remains inherently limited. Until better assessment tools become available, behavior-based observations, such as loss of righting reflex/loss of posture, remain among our most useful guides to the onset of unconsciousness in animals. To minimize potential animal suffering and to ensure a truly unconscious state is unambiguously achieved, a state of general anesthesia relying on gamma amino butyric acid type A agonists or N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist agents continues to be a necessary component of the companion animal euthanasia process.

• Authors: Robert E Meyer
• Journal: The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice (Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract) Vol. 50 Issue 3 Pg. 503-511 (May 2020) ISSN: 1878-1306 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 32063344 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Animals
• Consciousness (physiology)
• Euthanasia, Animal (ethics, methods)
• Unconsciousness (psychology)