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Taking a fish to the veterinarian

 

Advise clients over the phone that:

·        Fish hide the signs of disease as a natural reflex.

Therefore any signs of illness or abnormal behaviour need immediate attention.

·        Any fish displaying obvious signs of disease is often suffering from a life threatening condition.

·        Some fish continue to eat right up to the point of death. Eating does not necessarily mean the fish is healthy.

·        Most conditions cannot be diagnosed over the phone. As fish hide the signs of disease, further diagnostic tests may be needed at the time of consultation to establish a diagnosis.

 

Advise clients coming to the vet to bring:

·        The fish in some of its tank water and bring a second equal amount of the tank water for water quality testing and for recovery of the fish if sedation is required.

·        The fish in a container/bag that should have enough water for the fish to swim upright and also contains an airspace and/or have enriched oxygen in the water.

·        When applicable, a dying fish to sacrifice for post-mortem examination prior to its death to check for diseases in the other remaining fish.

·        All medications and supplements.

·        Samples of all the fish’s food.

·        Some fresh faeces from their other fish.

 

Advise the client to bring details of:  

·        Water volume, temperature and frequency of cleaning.

·        Pumps and filters in the tank.

·        Heating.

·        Lighting.

·        Water quality tests performed.

·        Fish species, size, numbers and quarantine procedures.

·        Food type, amount fed and storage.

·        Medications used and frequency.

·        History of new plants, rocks and fish in the tank.

 

 

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