The SPCA in New Brunswick, Canada is warning thieves who broke in and stole items from a safe that drugs they took is deadly.
Restouche County SPCA posted a note saying the contents have no street value. The drugs are used for euthaniszing animals.
They are VERY dangerous & Lethal and is not to be injected into people… if you have these drugs in your possession DO NOT USE it, please return them, no questions asked.
A website www.drugs.com details the very serious consequences of improper use of the drug.
Under unfavorable absorption conditions it is possible that peripheral paralysis occurs prior to loss of consciousness resulting in a possible suffocation of the conscious animal. Therefore, as stated in the contraindications, T-61 should only be used in unconscious animals. During intravenous injection, a correct intravascular injection of the full dose has to be ensured. Use of a venous catheter may be beneficial.
Drugs.com said T-61 should be handled with caution.
Avoid direct contact with the veterinary medicinal product. Remove contaminated clothes immediately. If some of the drug accidentally penetrates the operator’s skin through a wound or an inadvertent puncture with the needle, the affected part of the skin must be thoroughly washed with water and soap. In case of accidental self-injection, immediately wash the wound with plenty of soap and water and squeeze out the site of puncture. If accidental eye exposure, flush eyes immediately with clean water for several minutes. In case of accidental injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package insert or the label to the physician. Analeptic drugs should be considered for symptomatic therapy. Euthanized animals should not be used as food. Keep out of reach of children.
Adverse Reactions
In very rare cases, convulsions or excitations have been reported. Cardiac arrest may be delayed.
Dr. Mary-Ellen Themens, who works at the Dalhousie Veterinary Clinic, said T-61 is dangerous, and many safeguards were put in place to secure the solution to protect the staff and the public.
The drug is not for recreational use or even medical use on humans. It’s only for the euthanasia of animals, she said.
Throw the safe over the fence. There is no street value, no other uses besides [animal] euthanasia.”
Only 10 people in New Brunswick are certified to administer the drug, she said, in an interview at the CBC.
Police say that sometime on Sunday night or early Monday morning, one or more people broke in to the SPCA.
