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Dropsy
Sept 27, 2004 12:18:17 GMT -5
Post by abm on Sept 27, 2004 12:18:17 GMT -5
Congratulations BeansMom!!! I hope things continue to improve for Trigger (and for you) -
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Dropsy
Sept 27, 2004 12:32:24 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Sept 27, 2004 12:32:24 GMT -5
First, I want to thank everone for thier help and encouragement -I'm sure it made the difference. As for Epsom Salt, I have not begun removing it. I added, in fact, a half a round yesterday when I added 2 gallons of fresh water. If you think, Amanichen, that I should start removing it, I will begin when you advise. As for what he ate, he loved the Spirulina and also ate his regular Tetramin flakes. He seems to be limited in his ability to go nose down for the bottom feeding, but goes up to the top and just skims for the floating flakes. Everything in his demeanor suggests he's feeling MUCH better!!
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Dropsy
Sept 28, 2004 14:56:40 GMT -5
Post by amanichen on Sept 28, 2004 14:56:40 GMT -5
Keep the salt in for now until all his swelling goes down.
It's good that he ate the spirulina, and as I said above you may want to feed it in conjunction with his regular food.
You're not in the clear yet, but keep going. I don't expect things to get worse at this point =)
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Dropsy
Sept 28, 2004 15:01:27 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Sept 28, 2004 15:01:27 GMT -5
Thanks Amanichen! Didn't mean to nag you - will keep the salt in, but how about the Kanacyn? Another round or stop?
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Dropsy
Sept 28, 2004 16:19:37 GMT -5
Post by amanichen on Sept 28, 2004 16:19:37 GMT -5
Keep going on the Kanacyn. One more round should do it.
And you're not nagging. At this point you have the situation under control, and I can just tell you what to do, and trust that you can go do it.
It's normal to have more questions come up, and it's easiest to get them answered in an actual in-person conversation. The internet doesn't allow that, so communication is delayed. If I could, I'd make a house call, as that's the best way to deal with fish problems =)
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Dropsy
Sept 28, 2004 16:41:54 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Sept 28, 2004 16:41:54 GMT -5
Great - the swelling is on the retreat. Everyday, a little more goes down. He and I appreciate the wonderful advice. I really don't think many fish survive Dropsy (from what I've read), so that makes it more special. I know he's not quite out of the woods, but I'm sure feeling much more optimistic
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Dropsy
Oct 2, 2004 21:10:21 GMT -5
Post by Rachel on Oct 2, 2004 21:10:21 GMT -5
How is Trigger doing Beansmom?
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Dropsy
Oct 5, 2004 10:53:40 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Oct 5, 2004 10:53:40 GMT -5
Sorry - I was out of the office (and away from the internet yesterday), but Trigger has his ups and downs. There is still some swelling in his extreme rear, so I am keeping the Epsom Salt level up per Amanichen's instructions. He is eating very well, but is also having swim bladder problems again (nose down and not much control). We are hopeful that it will all pass, but he seems to be happy!
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Dropsy
Oct 5, 2004 20:51:19 GMT -5
Post by amanichen on Oct 5, 2004 20:51:19 GMT -5
Beansmom, can you get a picture of him? I'd like to get an idea of the swelling before I tell you to start lowering the salt level.
Where are you on the third treatment? Close to done? Past done?
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 10:26:04 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Oct 6, 2004 10:26:04 GMT -5
Last dose of Kanacyn on Monday. He seemed to have a little new swelling, so I dosed again with Epsom Salt. But this morning, all is lost. He will be gone by the time I use my lunch hour today to check on him. Last night he ate, but during the evening something happened, and this morning I found him nose down in a plant, just barely breathing. I am glad that, with all your help, he had at least a good 7 days or so, got to swim normally, eat Spirulina, and interact with his companion, Adolph. I am not ready to let him go, but such choices are not ours to make...
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 10:53:20 GMT -5
Post by amanichen on Oct 6, 2004 10:53:20 GMT -5
Have any more kanacyn? The infection probably was just too much for him. I'd like to think he'd still be alright if he was still on kanacyn, but at the same time it's difficult to tell what's going on. Lemme know what happens.
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 11:15:33 GMT -5
Post by abm on Oct 6, 2004 11:15:33 GMT -5
We're all pulling for you and for Trigger, beansmom. Keep us posted
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 13:07:52 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Oct 6, 2004 13:07:52 GMT -5
Amanichen: yes, I have more Kanacyn. Should I put him through another round (I have enough for a full round)? I have a feeling I have figured out what caused the Dropsy in the first place. I mentioned in a much earlier post, he has always had constipation problems. I think the swim bladder was a result of the constipation, because as soon as he went, he righted himself. I have tried to vary the diet for him and Adolph, including vegetables. Sometimes it would work, other times, not. Now, this is the really weird part to describe, but I'll try. Also in a earlier post, I mentioned he got a wound (Adolph is a very aggressive feeder, and I think he may have shoved him into the gravel). In any case, this was a bad wound, but I felt he would recover from this since he was already in the Kanacyn. And, the would started to heal very nicely. Then, a few days ago, stringy white material started issuing from the wound site, followed by stringy yellow stuff. The site turned very dark underneath. I can see his internal organs still through the taunt skin still a bit swollen in his extreme rear. I am now of the mind that the wound extended into his intestinal tract and the yellow stuff was, in fact, poop. This wound is on his side roughly mid way down his body. Since then he has been eating, but not pooping. I think the wound finally healed well enough that there is no outlet (proper or not) for him to go. Ok, so crazy reasoning or not, if he is still alive when I go home, I'll start another round of Kanacyn. I must say, though, that I fear Adolph will have extreme resistance if anything gets to him in the future. Let's hope not...
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 16:24:41 GMT -5
Post by BeansMom on Oct 6, 2004 16:24:41 GMT -5
I went home at lunch and Trigger is still alive, but I'm not sure if it wouldn't be more merciful if he wasn't. I am absolutely right that this is a constipation thing. He is ready to rupture around his anus. This is the most horrific thing I've ever seen. He must be in pain. Right now he is floating mid tank, nose down with no control. The filter (I turned down to the lowest setting) batters him around, and even Adolphs movements cause him to sommersault. I'm sure if he manages to void without completely tearing himself up, this will do (or already has done) damage that will be irreparable. I am totally beside myself...is there ANY way I can help him?
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Dropsy
Oct 6, 2004 17:27:36 GMT -5
Post by amanichen on Oct 6, 2004 17:27:36 GMT -5
Interesting. The constipation is definitely a problem though...
From how you described it, I wasn't worried about it either.
It's quite possible.
At this point normally I'd say boil a few peas, shell them, and give them to the fish. However, he may be in more immediate need of attention for the constipation i.e. a physical way to clear the blockage. Usually this can only be done by a vet or ichthyologist.
If he's still eating, you may want to try giving him food which is soaked in castor oil or cod liver oil. I've never personally had to do this, so it's up to you if you want to try it or not, although I'd recommend it.
Don't feed him anything else for now. You may want to wait two days before feeding him the soaked food.
Now that you mention this, he definitely does sound constipated. For now the Kanacyn might not be the answer, but I don't think it would hurt.
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