pcsb23
11-28-2014, 01:37 PM
There are many times when I have advised people to treat their discus (or any fish for that matter) topically, i.e. apply a treatment directly to the fish. On most occasions I have to advise them how to do it, and to many who have never done this before it can be daunting.
As I had need to treat one of my own discus I decided to get my lovely assistant (my daughter ;)) to photograph the process. I hope the following procedure and photographs allay any fears, it really is a lot easier than most people realise - until they have done it!!
As with any procedure preparation is key and understanding the process always helps.
The first step is to wash your hands, if you have an anti-bacterial soap or gel then use it, but don't get too hung up here. As long as your hands are clean it is fine.
The next step is to get all the materials ready and to hand that you will need. Note in the picture below I have chosen to use Iodine, this same procedure would apply to hydrogen peroxide or any other topical liquid medicine. You will need to make sure that wherever you choose to do this you have decent light available.
You will need to work smartly but you do not, and must not, rush. There really is no need to panic, the whole procedure here, even with taking photographs, took around 1 minute. Discus are perfectly fine being out of water for this relatively short length of time.
Materials needed, Iodine, cotton bud and a clean piece of kitchen roll.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment1.jpg
The next thing to do is to net the fish. When I do this type of treatment I do it on the glass cover of the tank. It provides a nice flat surface and you do not have to move the fish far, also as mine have small florry lights above I have decent light to work by. Note how I have laid the net down with the fish in it, anything you can do to reduce handling is always a benefit, but again if you need to handle the fish do so!
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment2.jpg
Using the clean kitchen paper towel gently dab the affected area, use enough pressure to make good contact with the fish, you should see it's body deflect slightly under the pressure.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment3.jpg
It is important that any dead skin or scales are removed and that the protective slime coat is also removed, we have to be able to apply the treatment to the affected area. You can just see a little blood on the kitchen paper towel.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment4.jpg
Next dip the cotton bud into the Iodine, note how the cotton bud is wet with the liquid but that it is not dripping from it - we need to be in control of how much we apply and where we apply it! This is even more important if the wound is near the eyes or the gills.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment5.jpg
Using gentle pressure apply the iodine directly to the affected area making sure that the edges of the affected area are also covered.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment6.jpg
Take your time doing this, note in this picture that you can see just a little of the iodine on and around the wound.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment7.jpg
This shows the extent of the treated area, and also shows that the surrounding area of the wound was in fact clear of slime coat.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment8.jpg
A close up of the treated area.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment9.jpg
Once the treatment has been applied wait for at least 20 seconds before returning the fish to the tank. In some cases it may be necessary to isolate the fish - I didn't on this occasion. With open wounds it is sometime necessary to add salt to the tank water, this is to avoid the fish from becoming dehydrated (yep I kid you not!).
Finally once the fish is safely back in the tank dispose of the used materials and wash your hands.
As I had need to treat one of my own discus I decided to get my lovely assistant (my daughter ;)) to photograph the process. I hope the following procedure and photographs allay any fears, it really is a lot easier than most people realise - until they have done it!!
As with any procedure preparation is key and understanding the process always helps.
The first step is to wash your hands, if you have an anti-bacterial soap or gel then use it, but don't get too hung up here. As long as your hands are clean it is fine.
The next step is to get all the materials ready and to hand that you will need. Note in the picture below I have chosen to use Iodine, this same procedure would apply to hydrogen peroxide or any other topical liquid medicine. You will need to make sure that wherever you choose to do this you have decent light available.
You will need to work smartly but you do not, and must not, rush. There really is no need to panic, the whole procedure here, even with taking photographs, took around 1 minute. Discus are perfectly fine being out of water for this relatively short length of time.
Materials needed, Iodine, cotton bud and a clean piece of kitchen roll.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment1.jpg
The next thing to do is to net the fish. When I do this type of treatment I do it on the glass cover of the tank. It provides a nice flat surface and you do not have to move the fish far, also as mine have small florry lights above I have decent light to work by. Note how I have laid the net down with the fish in it, anything you can do to reduce handling is always a benefit, but again if you need to handle the fish do so!
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment2.jpg
Using the clean kitchen paper towel gently dab the affected area, use enough pressure to make good contact with the fish, you should see it's body deflect slightly under the pressure.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment3.jpg
It is important that any dead skin or scales are removed and that the protective slime coat is also removed, we have to be able to apply the treatment to the affected area. You can just see a little blood on the kitchen paper towel.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment4.jpg
Next dip the cotton bud into the Iodine, note how the cotton bud is wet with the liquid but that it is not dripping from it - we need to be in control of how much we apply and where we apply it! This is even more important if the wound is near the eyes or the gills.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment5.jpg
Using gentle pressure apply the iodine directly to the affected area making sure that the edges of the affected area are also covered.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment6.jpg
Take your time doing this, note in this picture that you can see just a little of the iodine on and around the wound.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment7.jpg
This shows the extent of the treated area, and also shows that the surrounding area of the wound was in fact clear of slime coat.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment8.jpg
A close up of the treated area.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/pcsb23/Fish%20treatment/Topical%20treatment/Treatment9.jpg
Once the treatment has been applied wait for at least 20 seconds before returning the fish to the tank. In some cases it may be necessary to isolate the fish - I didn't on this occasion. With open wounds it is sometime necessary to add salt to the tank water, this is to avoid the fish from becoming dehydrated (yep I kid you not!).
Finally once the fish is safely back in the tank dispose of the used materials and wash your hands.