Euthanized chicken had purple face and comb

[lplilg43]

Today my chicken was euthanized using euthasol. I didn't see her during administration of the drug. After death (but not before), her face was dark purple. What would have caused this?

 

[ProudRedneck]

Lack of oxygen.

Euthasol causes respiratory depression (hypoventilation). This is when a human or animal breathes too slowly or shallowly, preventing proper gas exchange in the lungs.

 

[lplilg43]

Lack of oxygen.

Euthasol causes respiratory depression (hypoventilation). This is when a human or animal breathes too slowly or shallowly, preventing proper gas exchange in the lungs.

Thank you for your answer. Does that mean that she died slowly? It seems like it took a long time for her to be returned to me. I thought that euthanasia in that manner was supposed to be 30 seconds like it is with a dog.

 

[AinaWGSD]

No, it's very quick. It should take about the same time as it would for a dog or cat. It does cause respiratory and cardiac depression, but it causes brain death before cardiac/respiratory arrest.

It's not at all uncommon for euthanized animals to twitch or have reflexive gasping "breaths" after death. It can look pretty awful, but the pet is already gone and is not in any pain. It can be very upsetting for owners to watch though, so if an owner chooses not to be present for the euthanasia the vet may wait a minute to make sure these postmortem muscle spasms are done before bringing the pet back to the owner.