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Post by Suzie Q on Jan 29, 2007 10:02:10 GMT -5
Blondie (white female Betta) is getting fat. I really suspect that she is just developing eggs (I put a heater on the tank, and it keeps the temp in the high 70's...around 78* F). About a week ago, I noticed her getting a prego belly...This morning I did a 90% water change (haven't done that in about 3 months)...anyway, I put her and Tori (blue/red female Betta) in holding cups, and Blondie is REALLY fat, and because I could see her up close, her scales ARE standing out like a pinecone...When females are developing eggs (she really looks like that...her belly area is sagging), do the fins stand out? She is swimming and eating great. I have not been feeding anything but Betta pellets, and when I am in a hurry, I feed bloodworms...this is not very often.
I think because the temp is higher than I have been keeping it, she thinks spring is here.
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Post by Charis on Jan 29, 2007 18:35:20 GMT -5
well pinecone is the only thing in your message that would make me think anything other than eggs. Pinecone is a sign of dropsy.
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Post by carlrs on Jan 29, 2007 20:15:48 GMT -5
well pinecone is the only thing in your message that would make me think anything other than eggs. Pinecone is a sign of dropsy. I have to agree with charis, this sounds like Dropsy, which is very dificult to treat. Keep an eye her for the next 24 hours, unfortunately nothing is real effective for true Dropsy, Kanamycin, or an organic treatment of Pimafix are long shots. I would increase electrolytes in the water by adding one tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons and if you have a wonder shell left, placing that in as well for calcium and magenesium. Carl |
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Post by Charis on Jan 29, 2007 20:54:51 GMT -5
isn't a mojor complication of dropsy fluid overload (i.e. the bloat that is caused by water retention). If this is the case - and if water is processed by the kidneys then it would be a kidney problem. Maybe you could try to draw some of the water out. The salt solution carlrs suggested would creat a hypertonic (higher amount of solutes than the fish's body) solution for the fish. This would help relieve the bloat if the water in the fish would osmosis (or by whatever means) into the outside world. Seeing it also maybe kidneys - hmm. I'll have to think about that one. No medications that are hard on the kidneys (processed by the kidneys) and other than that I'll have to think on this one.
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Post by Suzie Q on Jan 30, 2007 12:00:36 GMT -5
...Sorry, I did mean Dropsy...Bloat is in dogs
I always add almost 1 tsp per g in my water...3 tsps = 1 tbsp...so I add (with every water change...) about 1 tbsp to every 5 g....should I add more? Blondie is housed with Tori, should I be worried about Tori?
Blondie is VERY active (normal active)...is that normal in fish with Dropsy? This is the first time I have ever encountered it. I know that Dropsy is not contagious, but is most likely caused by internal parasites, or a bacterial infection and is the last stage (kidney failure). Should I be concerned about Tori? What precautions should I take with Tori (Meds)? She is not showing any signs of Dropsy, but I want to keep her from getting it also.
I have read that Epsom Salt is a treatment for Dropsy, anyone used this treatment before? I may try it!?!
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Post by carlrs on Jan 30, 2007 21:03:40 GMT -5
Epsom salt can be used in VERY limited quantity, I would however suggest placing one of the wonder shells you have in there as it will provide needed electrolytes that the salt will not provide (including magnesium as well as calcium). As for the salt, keep it up, as charis stated this will (along with other electrolytes) help with the osmotic process and help pull fluids from the body. Another note, since I know you have Neomycin on hand, DO NOT use this here! As Neomycin can damage the kidneys as it is nephrotoxic, so this is a poor treatment choice for Dropsy. Continue to soak the pellets for 5 minutes prior to feeding, and maybe add Pimafix alsong wiith the above. Carl  |
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