Physical Therapy for fish????

**Oranda/RanchuLV** · 08-31-2012, 9:55 PM

Breed: Ranchu
Sex: Male - Neutered
Age: 1 1/2-2 year old

I am at a loss with what to do with my little guy, he is still active and alert and trying to swim but is not getting anywhere. I have taken him the vets numerous times and had hope but then it went away. We first tried a series of antibiotics, 3 different kinds, and it seemed to perk him right up but he was still not able to swim, but at least he was at the bottom of the hospital tank upright and not sideways. Well after a couple of days he was back on his side and when he stopped being interested in greetings and food we quickly had him in for surgery. Turned out his testicles were infected so they got removed, due to his size he is to small to do any blood work on. Well after the surgery I was taking him in for his injections and then finally wound up doing a series of 3 injections at home. When the series is done together there is more improvement but nothing to get him swimming again. Not being on the injections he is on his back/side and will do circles and go backwards and forwards. All fins seem to be working. He is interested in eating and will come and greet you.
Has anyone else had this kind of problem? If so, did you know what caused it?
Am I crazy to want to build him a wheel chair?
Has anyone done physical therapy on their fish to get them upright?
Does this sound like a tumor or potentially paralysis?
Looking forward to any ideas you guys might have.

Sincerely,

Oranda/RanchuLV

**Ptrick125** · 08-31-2012, 10:07 PM

I must say: You love your goldfish a lot... Most people would have given up and euthanized it by now

Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

**Somervell** · 09-01-2012, 8:48 AM

Some full bodied goldfish (like ranchus) have permanent swim bladder problems that cause them to flip. In some cases, a small stone weight can be inserted to make the fish permanently upright. At a year and a half, he has finished the majority of his growth, but he will continue to get larger.

If it reassures you, I have two fancies right now ( full bodied fancies) that flipped on their sides and didn't right themselves. It was down to a genetic defect. They live perfectly well with other fish in the tank, swim sideways to feed and live relatively happy goldfish lives. In fact, the two of them actually spawned when I moved them to a tank of their own! (Must have been awkward, but spawning is usually a sign of fish that are not in distress.) If you have treated with antibiotics and the vet has nothing further to add, it may just be a genetic defect in the fish that you both will have to live with. I am guessing that the vet has ruled out any kind of intestinal blockage. (If the fish is eating and defecating, then this is probably not an issue.)