What is the best way to humanely dispatch a paralysed mouse?

Question

My cats have always brought in live mice (4-5 times a week) but they usually escape under a cupboard where the cats are unable to get them and wait to be rescued by be, or they are found dead which I am fine with. However, recently they have been paralysing them ie. the mouse has no use of its back legs and is found by me in the morning frantically dragging its back end around. The cats at this point have no interest in the mouse even though it is still alive, they wont even acknowledge it's existence or make eye contact with it. This is obviously very distressing for the me and the mouse and I am left with no option but to put it out of its misery. I have been decapitating them (very swiftly) with a very sharp knife, is this the best way or is there a better more humane way?

Answer 1

I have a friend that uses carbon monoxide (plastic bag and a car's tailpipe). No kidding, they just go to sleep. This is a little bit more involved than your chopping block, though.

Answer 2

Funny you should ask that, a lady brought a mouse in to me today that her cat had got. Actually when I opened the box, it was a baby rat not a mouse. It's back leg was broken and it's breathing was hideous - close to death. I put it under an oxygen mask and gassed in til it was asleep, and then got a vet to inject 1ml of Euthatal (the put to sleep drug) into the mouse. It was dead within seconds and never knew anything about it - I would say this is the most humane way. We didn't charge the lady, and I said she could come back with any more mice or rats her cat catches.

I imagine decapitating a mouse is fairly distressing for you, so if you're anywhere near a vet surgery I would bring it there.

Chalice

Answer 3

The MOST humane ways to deal with killing mice are the following:
- Carbon Monoxide poisoning (as someone else mentioned) although you have to be careful not to get too much gas yourself. It could asphixiate you as easily as the mouse.
- Drowning in COLD water (and I mean ICE COLD). The cold sort of pots them into a hibernation, and then they drown. You will have to keep them pushed down tho.

the way you're doing it is pretty good too. There is no pain if the knife is fast and sharp enough. At least none that anyone has lived to tell about.

Answer 4

ALL OF THE ABOVE (apart from Chalice "Vet' Nurse")SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. To dispatch an animal by decapitation can warrant a prosecution under RSPCA (UK) law if the "dispatcher" is found guilty of animal cruelty. So therefore please cease your current method of putting the mouse out of it's misery.

Yes, your Veterinarian will oblige by euthanaising the animal, but if they do it by usual "barbituate overdose", then for each mouse, the cost will soon mount up. By my experience, the Veterinarian should opt for the freezing method (see below) No cost to the Vet', and hopefully, no cost to you.

The only 100% natural, effective and humane way to euthanaise a small mammal (or reptile), is to place it in a container with firm lid, and then put the container into the freezer compartment of your refridgerator. Leave the animal for a MINIMUM of 24 hours. The drop in body temperature will cause the animals system to naturally shut down. The animal will reach a "comatose state", before death takes place by way of freezing. No pain, stress, or suffering is caused, as the animal just goes to sleep naturally.

You can either just dispose of the mouse in the "bin", or, if you are close to some fields/woods, place the mouse near a bush where some other animal (fox/crow etc) can make good use of it. It is the ultimate in recycling. IMPORTANT: Should you decide to "give it back to nature" by feeding something else, please make sure the mouse is FULLY defrosted before, by leaving out at room temperature for at least 2 hours. That way, whatever eats it does not encounter food poisioning by consumption of frozen/partially frozen meat. (Yes, animals can get food poisioning the same way as humans!)

I wish you the best of luck, and urge you to disregard the previous suggestions for favour of a worldwide tried and tested solution.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the freezing method can be used for the euthanasia of nearly all small mammals, it is by no means meant to be carried out at every opportunity. If any small animal/bird is found with ANY injury, then proffesional advice should be sought. It may be possible to repair and then rehabilitate the animal. It can still be an offence for an unqaulified person to euthanaise an animal (RCVS ruling), which is why I suggest talking any method over with your own Vet' first.

Answer 5

The way you are doing it is NOT humane. It depends on where you live but you should contact either the RSPCA or the SSPCA who will come to your house and dispach the mouse/mice in the most humane way.

Answer 6

I am a wimp about that stuff too. i cant take ever rodent to the vet to put it to sleep nicely. I have snakes that I rehabilitate, and I raise there mice food, and I dont like to hit them or cut them because it can pose a risk to the snake with broken bones. I found the calmest fastest way is to get a air tight tupperware with a screw top lid. clear plastic is best. The poke or drill 2 small holes at the top part of the container. Then get some computer duster spray from walmart or where ever. Place the straw in one of the holes and place your finger over the other hole, spray canned air into the tupperware, until the sides bulge then release your finger off the other hole and let the air out. The gas from the can will stay in the tupperware since its heavier than air. The mouse will fall asleep and die with in 3 minutes. Its painless and fast and no hitting or blood or mess is envolved. other than they pee and poop upon death.

Answer 7

even with what some "Christians" will inform you, i'm a spiritual Christian myself and had this ensue to me three times. this is sleep paralysis. On suitable of the shortcoming to bypass yet feeling such as you're completely conscious, there is in many circumstances the sensation which you're threatened by somebody interior the room (even nevertheless there is no person there). besides the reality that it form of feels weird and wonderful, this is somewhat a common difficulty. it continually happens on the "Hypnogogy" state of sleep (it is, between waking and drowsing), it is why it can not be demonic. i be attentive to this is a daunting subject to ensue, yet i've got had it ensue myself and as quickly as i became thoroughly confident of the respond, i've got no longer had it on condition that. have self belief me, it is not demonic, it is not religious. We may be religious beings, yet we've fleshly bodies, and now and lower back - somewhat frankly - they behave unusually (think of of deja vu or "pins and needles" .. those are form of unusual too, suitable?) relax and be attentive to you're all suitable. suited needs!

Answer 8

Do you think you could persuade your cats to wear collars with bells attached as this might help solve any further problems.

I don't know that I agree with someone's earlier suggestion of freezing small creatures to death. My partner keeps tropical fish and when one of them was dying he searched the net looking for humane methods to put it out of it's misery. Freezing was one of the methods classed as being particularly slow and painful.

I hope the collar suggestion works, I feel for you in your situation.

Answer 9

In the days when they used guillotines, the head would stay alive for up to a minute as they were held up to watch the crowd that was watching the head!
Crush the skull with something heavy in one quick motion and ta-dah, it's done with. Or crush it with the heel of your shoe or boot is the most humane and simple way to get the job done.

Answer 10

I've the same problem. If i see them, with a mouse, i'll shoo them away and hopefully the mouse can escape. When they play with them, they swipe them them with such a force, they die in the end with shock. It's a shame, as i love animals... What can you do!

Answer 11

I know that when mice are killed for retail purposes you can chose between bashed or gassed! self explanatory really. But in terms of doing it yourself, hitting them hard and fast on the head (no so it splatters) or drowning, it's sorrowful but really the best thing for them!