Modification of a standard dump trailer into a mobile carbon dioxide depopulation unit for swine

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an American Veterinary Medical Association approved swine euthanasia method. A limitation for the use of CO2 during depopulation events, such as a foreign animal disease diagnosis, is the ability to apply the method to finisher and adult pigs. The common euthanasia methods in finishing and adult swine require individual animal handling and restraint, increasing human safety risk in large-scale depopulation events. This project validates the modification of a standard dump trailer into a mobile CO2 depopulation unit. The success of the method was verified with subdermal implants for monitoring heart rate, activity, and body temperature.