Is it time to end this?

[Jennie]

It's been near a month since I treated/finished my fish for flukes. Fluke free now yes, but my PE had developed a secondary bacterial infection, maybe because of weakened immune system?? Those are the risk involved. she was the most affected discus in the tank. In the course of this time she had been started on Furan 2/salt till furanese and neomycin arrived. She remained darkened and semi listless with cloudy eyes throughout the furan 2 treatment, was later started on a combo of neomycin and furanese/salt combined, became a little brighter and active at times, eyes cleared somewhat and then reverted to her previous state after some days on this treatment. Everytime I think she's getting better, it's short lived and she goes dark again. Throughout this whole ordeal, she has always maintained her appetite but is still a little under weight. I'm at a loss as of what to do next, am ready to throw in the towel. Anyone got any suggestions??? As of today, I have stopped the meds and am just providing clean water and salt. Waiting to stop the rollercoaster ride.

[Second Hand Pat]

DL, I am by far no expert but what could it hurt to continue on your current course as long as she is eating, food and clean water. Steady as she goes. As she was the most affected maybe she just needs more time.

[Jennie]

an idea of what I'm dealing with


http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae345/discuslover65/pe8.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae345/discuslover65/pe6.jpg
http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/ae345/discuslover65/pe7.jpg

[Eddie]

Do you have any recent pictures of the fish?

[Second Hand Pat]

Maybe your right. She does look pretty sad. Maybe Eddie will pop in and have something to offer. Still hard to call it.

[Jennie]

what you see Eddie is pretty much the way she is. stress bars, yadda yadda

[Eddie]

what you see Eddie is pretty much the way she is. stress bars, yadda yadda

She still looks like that? Those were pictures from few weeks ago.

[Jennie]

darker as of tonight Eddie and I would make the decision if she wasn't eating. frustrating

[Eddie]

darker as of tonight Eddie and I would make the decision if she wasn't eating. frustrating

Yeah, tough call. You've done alot. Not sure what else you could do.

[Jennie]

I'll let her go. Off meds won't be long to go:(

[boxters]

if the poop is still normal (brownish) its not flagelletes. if the fish is not giving off slime its not bacterial or external. if the eyes are clear there is probably no internal infection. That leaves only a tapeworm or other worm infection. I would try to worm this fish once more. If its not worms, all that is left is internal organ damage most likely liver and kidneys.

[vera]

feel yr pain DL ...and taking the decision really sux -bet in her good days she was amazing..

[Jennie]

Yes boxters, my thoughts also, I suspected liver damage. Fish had been wormed previously.
Vera, yes, she was an amazing fish

[pcsb23]

This fish has had many meds thrown at it, I would not be surprised at internal organ damage.

I would not want to risk my existing stock for one fish.

If the flee response is still there and it is eating and you have a spare tank then maybe a couple of weeks with only clean water and assess then, otherwise I would cull.

[aalbina]

Sorry DL - looks like she once was a beautiful fish.

Adam

[Jennie]

Thanks Paul for reply, yes, she has been in isolation. Hearing poss. liver damage from a couple members is confirming my suspicions. I will hold off culling and give it some more time and see how it goes, with clean water. Thanks Everybody for reply.

[MrYin]

oh man dl that blows big time!!! good luck fishy

[Jennie]

yeah, these things happen, one fish in a group is easily replaced. Treat for this, that, not to treat can all be exhausting decisions at times. No regrets here on course of action. Sometimes you just lose a fish, as Al says, It happens.

[discusmurderer]

Think of me DL, I wish i could lend u some of my persistance, Ive been at it since 1992 and i cant get one to grow out to that size. According to Eddies addvice to me " Make alot of water changes"

[Tito]

Sucks! Sorry to hear.

[boxters]

the best advice i can give is, do not medicate untill you know exactly what is wrong with your fish, as if we play guessing games we are in most cases throwing the wrong meds at our much loved babies. i would suggest investing in a microscope, which can be relatively inexpensive and learn to diagnose and then treat with the correct meds.

[Jennie]

I'm not throwing more meds at her. That's not going to help. We'll see how she does with straight WC's. She's been tough so far, who knows, she might surprise me.

[Jennie]

thought I'd put this out there after couple pm's asking how fish is, and I myself can't stand not knowing the outcome of treatments on illness when researching threads so.....As suspected she went off her food as soon as meds were stopped and became weak quickly to the point where she struggled to stay upright so she was euthanized November 2.. I suspect Liver damage was the issue:( As always, it's always the best one we loose..

[aalbina]

So sorry to hear - you did all you could - and then some.

Adam

[jball1125]

Sorry to hear that DL.
:(

[Second Hand Pat]

Me too. You did you best.

[PAR23]

Sorry to hear DL.....she put a good fight....I was following this thread closely hoping for a happy outcome....All the best.

[Sea Hag]

So sorry, DL. I know how you feel, as I've been there, and it sucks!
You certainly did all you could for her.

[Jennie]

no worries..as I told one person, it's actually a relief it's over.

[Aqua Tropics]

Flukes likely are not gone unless they are of the live bearing type. The egg layers are never going away, but maybe reduced. Bigger discus aren't really bothered to much by flukes, unless stressed or ill. Hope the flukes are really gone.

[Jennie]

they are, not an itch so far:)

[Eddie]

Sorry to hear DL, but good to hear the flukes were dealt with.

All the best,

Eddie