Somulose is for intravenous administration only.

Recommended dose:

Dogs and cats intravenously: 0.25 ml/kg body weight

Horses and cattle intravenously: 1.0 ml/10 kg body weight

N.B. Speed of injection is very important. Administer the full dose over 10–15 seconds, in order to minimise premature cardiac arrest. Additionally, an injection rate that is too slow may induce normal collapse, but prolong the period until death. It is always advisable to have an alternative method of euthanasia available.

As with other methods of euthanasia, care should be taken not to excite the animal during preparation. Many authorities recommend that the procedure should be carried out in familiar surroundings, avoiding harsh lights and sudden noises where possible. During the preparation and administration, it is often helpful to handle the animal carefully, but firmly, comforting it with gentle talk and coaxing as one would for the quiet induction of anaesthesia. This can also serve to calm apprehensive animals.

Once the required dose has been withdrawn from the vial, the mini-spike or needle should be removed from the syringe and discarded into a closed container. A sterile catheter should then be inserted into the injection site, and the syringe connected to it. Perivascular administration of Secobarbitone may delay the onset of effect and cause pain and result in excitement. Placement of a venous catheter is therefore recommended and care should be taken to ensure (by aspiration) that the injection is correctly placed in the vein.

In horses and cattle the use of a pre-placed 14 gauge jugular catheter is strongly recommended. In horses, the administration of detomidine, or suitable alternative, by slow IV injection is recommended to produce profound sedation prior to euthanasia. However, this may produce a slower onset of euthanasia.