blue juice

n. the chemical, usually sodium phenobarbital, used to euthanize animals. Subjects: English, Animals, Insects, & Birds, Slang

Editorial Note: Occasionally used as a verb: the dog was blue-juiced. Thanks to David Lurie for suggesting today’s word.

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Citations: 1991 [Michael Mahler] Usenet: rec.pets.dogs (May 9) “Re: My Friend’s Dog was Attacked”: It’s not clear that this dog has a “problem” worth getting out the blue-juice for. 1991 [Michael Mahler] Usenet: rec.pets.dogs (May 17) “Re: Harsh Corrections (was: Re: Attacking dogs)”: I’d really like to know why you’re crying “Blue Juice” for the rottie that bit the foal? Surely, working with police dogs you’d understand the defensive drives of rotties or even appreciate that the dog might be useful in other areas? 1998 Erika Matulich Ferret Lovers’ Club of Texas (Dallas) (Mar.) “Dealing With The Loss Of A Ferret”: Often, a pre-sedative injection of ketamine or some isofluorane gas is used to let the ferret doze off so they cannot feel the final step. The final step may be an intravenous injection of an overdose of a sedative or barbiturate (such as “blue juice” or “euthanol”). 1998 Mike Barber Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, Washington) (May 19) “Let’s Have A Toast: To A Dog’s Life Brew-And-Biscuits Spa Is For Pets And Owners” p. A1: One step ahead of a shot of the “blue juice,” the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue group stepped in and enlisted the aid of GroomingSPA and other businesses. 2005 [NoSkiveez] Next Day Pets (July 28) “Purina Beneful Dog Food”: I watched a specail on Dog food a few years back, and it was about the animals being used to produce alot of these cheap Dog foods are being Euthanized (Blue Juiced) and then being processed into Dog food. 2005 [Tviokh] Ab absurdo (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) (Oct. 18): If the treatment is harsher than the disease, and chances of recovery are low, say hello to the blue juice. 2006 Tanya Kay Tanya’s Story (Johnson City, Tennessee) (May 8): When I looked at it very closely, I could see that it was a newborn kitten, maybe just a few days old. At that time, I could hear the head Veterinary Technician (my boss) saying, “Just give it the blue juice (the liquid that is used for euthanasia) and throw it in the trash.” 2006 Robert McClure Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, Washington) (May 22) “Hound has a nose for south end of a northbound whale”: They all come from the pound. They’re maniac dogs that otherwise were going to be blue-juiced.

Posted 23 May 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend