Another Moral Thread

[RobUK]

I can hardly talk given my recent thread (still feeling really upset)

In my opinion "putting down" a sick fish is one thing (and hard enough) but cutting it open and operating is another. You cant gaurantte a sterlile enviroment (unless you have an operating theatre) and it may just cause the fish more suffering. There are just too many things to consider or indeed that could go wrong.

I think this is one thing left to the proffessionals, allthough a very interesting subject, I didnt even know that the idea of "operating" on fish exsisted.

 

[Cearbhaill]

What sort of ailment did your fish have that you were able to cure via surgery?

I did not have to do surgery- just a series of injections and wound dressing. But it entailed removing the fish from water and handling him, getting skin scrapings, and the dreaded injections.
Without the info in the book I've referenced I believe the fish would have died- I had already lost another to a similar problem. I would really rather not have had to do it- I felt so bad for the poor fish, but he came through beautifully.

Here's my little fella "Pigpen".

 

[lark]

Cear - (beautiful goldies btw)

Exactly! All my vet could offer was to give me baytril so I could do the injection myself. I consider it almost like giving medication. Carelessly administered, they are detrimental but when you possess a solid collection of references, a knowledge base such as Aquaria Central, and and accurate observations, you can diagnose and provide treatment.


A common ailment that I have read that can be fixed via a simple surgical procedure are swim bladder problems or removing an egg impaction. But I am also thinking it could be used for removing foreign growths or the debridement of a wound.

 

[travelinman1969]

If you can do it, go for it. I know I would if I had to and given the knowledge. My dad's a doctor so anatomy is a basic for me.

cgrabe, some of us do have those monsters and wouldn't hesitate to do what we had to do to keep that fish alive.

 

[Traci]

Apparently there is a common problems with arowanas building up fatty tissues around there eyes, and a DIY procedure that many keepers perform themselves.

There are no federal laws in the US that specifically prevent a lay person from performing surgery on an animal. At the most there might be some cruelty to animal charge if done without anethetic or unnecessarily. There are no doubt more specific laws at a local level that deal with such.

It is actually common practice for ranchers and farmers to treat livestock themselves for a variety of complaints, and most ranchers keep immunization, medication, and steroids that they administer to the stock themselves. Additionally, field surgeries, difficult deliveries, and occasionally caeserians are all performed on livestock as a matter of course. The same can be done for fish.

Should it? If it's necessary and practical for survival, why not?

 

[RobUK]

I will change my opinion a bit....

If properly carried out and done so by someone who knows what there doing (like you did) and the fish has a good chance then it has to be worthy of consideration.


Glad your fish pulled though (he's beautifull)