POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (KCL)

1. Injection of a supersaturated potassium chloride solution is an acceptable method to produce cardiac arrest and death. Using this route, the MWD must be unconscious or under general anesthesia before administration of the KCl solution. It is unethical and therefore unacceptable to use KCl in conscious animals.
2. Anesthetize the MWD. (See the K9 Analgesia and Anesthesia CPG.)
3. Once anesthetized, rapid IV or intracardiac administration of 1-2 mEq K+/kg of body weight (75 to 150 mg/kg; 34 to 68 mg/lb) will cause cardiac arrest.3
4. A typical dose for an average sized MWD would be 30-40 mL of 2 mEq/mL KCl.