Confirmation of Death

It is critical to ensure complete cessation of physiologic activity after administering euthanasia agents. Confirm absence of a heartbeat and pulse, absence of voluntary respirations, and absence of electrical activity on an ECG tracing (if available) for a least 5 minutes after presumed death. Agonal respiratory efforts and/or a terminal excitatory phase may occur and should cease before death is declared. MWD handlers and participating personnel should be made aware of these terminal events prior to euthanasia.