Confirmation of death requires more care in reptiles particularly if they have been refrigerated first. Personnel, however, must take precautions when working with these agents. CO2 also works well, but birds may show some distress before losing consciousness. T-61 appears to have a smoother induction than barbiturates in birds. These are given IV, most often injected in the wing vein.
Cervical dislocation is acceptable only in chickens and small turkeys.
Two people should be used to perform the procedure. Tissue changes from these drugs are well known. This is a non-narcotic mixture of three drugs, which have general anesthetic, curariform, and local anesthetic actions. The mode of action is direct depression of CNS and heart muscle. There will be tissue residues and the drug may cause pulmonary edema and other tissue lesions.