We use a fomula with propilenoglicol:saline: ethanol (4:5:1)

to euthanize the rats. it says on the sigma datasheet that pento is soluble in water at 40mg/ml. But I keep getting precipitates.

thanks Renata. Does yours stay in solution for a long period of time?

thanks Nikaeta

I usually use the solution within 48h...

Hello, dear Partha,

despite it might be that your problem has been solved meanwhile, I would like to add perhaps additional, valuable info for you. Nikaeta has pointed you already to the website of UC Davis/California (see above) which may include all values/parameters you need. There exists another web-source at:

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=f302ddf5-0213-43b3-b6c1-b3edf2bafbcd :

NEMBUTAL SODIUM- pentobarbital sodium injection, solution (Lundbeck LLC):

"Sodium Solution (pentobarbital sodium injection) is a sterile solution for intravenous or intramuscular injection. Each mL contains pentobarbital sodium 50 mg, in a vehicle of propylene glycol, 40%, alcohol, 10% and water for injection, to volume. The pH is adjusted to approximately 9.5 with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide."

For general aspects of euthanization laboratory animals: cf. also: https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf

AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition

or

http://caninerabiesblueprint.org/IMG/pdf/Link72_Euthanasia_EC_Part1.pdf

Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: Part 1

(valuable information on pentobarbital combinations).

Regards, Wolfgang

Thank you wolfgang, I got the protocol working. I used the prop glycol, ethanol and saline according to Renata's specs, and the pentobarbital is still in solution. I made it up 2 months ago, and is still potent. Thank you for the additional links.

Dear Partha, you're welcome,

best regards, Wolfgang