Spade does sound good... not sure I want to sever the head though. <br /><br /> __________ Sat Aug 08, 2015 9:42 am __________ <br /><br /> Update: Once again, due to my lack of conviction and insecurity, I was 'spared' having to do the deed. I came in to find the unthrifty kit dead this morning. However, before coming to the Shop this morning, I did some reading in preparation for having to dispatch the kit today. What I found was an absolutely fascinating document that, I believe, should be read by anyone who feels insecure in having to dispatch.
My one regret on this document, is that it does not provide an illustration for rabbits (as it does for dogs, cats, pigs, goats and a few other animals I believe) on the placement for use of a penetrating captive bolt gun.
https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf
I will say that, after finding the dead kit, I took the advice of the document and practiced a cervical dislocation by hand on the kit. I want to share that experience as it could greatly benefit others who might need to do the same.
The kit must not have been dead too long, the body was cool but there was no rigor mortis, so the effective feel of the dislocation was likely very similar to if the kit had been alive.
The kit was just shy of 5 weeks old, but smaller than its siblings, probably the size of a 4 week old kit. I would say this information would apply to any kit from a couple of weeks to a few months of age. I grasped the back end in my left hand and the base of the head with my right hand. I gave a sharp pull, but my anticipation of how quickly the neck would snap did not prove to be correct. I'm glad I did not try this on a live kit, as it would have not been a quick dispatch. My best description would be the sensation of rice crispies in the neck. It took several, firm pulls to feel the separation of the head. If I had to repeat this procedure on a live kit, I would say the most important thing would be to pull considerably harder and faster than one would think you would have to. At this point, I would feel less concerned with the possibility of yanking the head completely off (beheading) than I would at not being forceful enough to cleanly and quickly snap the neck. I don't know if my technique was poor, or simply not forceful enough.
I hope this information is helpful to someone and I would definitely recommend practicing your dispatch methods on recently dead kits if you encounter them in your husbandry.
