The Fish Vet's Blog

It’s great that clinical veterinarians are able to get into fish medicine with what they already stock in their pharmacy. Alfaxalone is a commonly used drug for cats and dogs and it can also be used to sedate or anaesthetise fish!

Aquaculture
Volume 399, Number 2 (June 2013)
	Evaluation of the sedative and anaesthetic effects of five different concentrations of alfaxalone in goldfish, Carassius auratus
	Authors:	S.H. Bauquier, J. Greenwood, T. Whittem
	Author Affiliations:	no affiliations available
	Source:	Aquaculture, Volume 399, Number 2 (June 2013)
	Page Numbers:	119 – 123
	Available Full Text:	Full Text: Subscription Required to view full text Format: PDF Size: Unknown Location: Publisher’s Site Authentication: Publisher’s Site
	Abstract:	Anecdotal publications describe induction of anaesthesia in fish with alfaxalone. This study’s objective was to determine the water concentrations of alfaxalone required to sedate and anaesthetise goldfish. The study was conducted as an unmasked, parallel design, randomised trial with five groups each of six healthy goldfish, Carassius auratus.Fish with a mean length (±SD) of 8.5 (±2.5) cm were immersed in individual water tank with controlled temperature (23–25°C), pH (6.8–7.2) and osmolality (38–45mOsm/L), at concentrations of 0.15, 0.5, 2.0, 5.0 and 7.5mg alfaxalone per litre, complexed with hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin. Monitoring of fish included body approach reaction, maintenance of equilibrium, operculum movement and response to noxious stimuli. Depth of anaesthesia was determined using a modified published scale. A concentration of 0.15mg alfaxalone/L water was insufficient to induce sedation or anaesthesia. Mean sedation induction time±SD (range) after immersion at concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0mg alfaxalone/L were 37±7 (34–50) min and 7±1 (5–8) min respectively. Anaesthesia was not achieved at those concentrations. After immersion in water containing 5.0 and 7.5mg alfaxalone/L mean sedation induction times were 4±2 (2–6) min and 2±1 (1–2) min respectively, mean anaesthesia induction times were 28±8 (16–35) min and 14±2 (12–18) min respectively and mean full recovery times were 32±18 (20–67) min and 36±13 (23–53) min respectively. No adverse events were seen. The lowest water concentrations of alfaxalone identified to induce sedation and anaesthesia in goldfish (C. auratus) were 0.5mg/L and 5mg/L respectively.
	Citation:	S.H. Bauquier, J. Greenwood, T. Whittem . Evaluation of the sedative and anaesthetic effects of five different concentrations of alfaxalone in goldfish, Carassius auratus. Aquaculture, Volume 399, Number 2 (June 2013), pp. 119-123, <http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=4D8682E08F9AEDDE8B0B&gt;
	URL:	http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=4D8682E08F9AEDDE8B0B

You may like to use topical medications for a cure. But these medicines such as betadine and mercurochrome wash off as soon as the fish is put back in the water? This would mean that there is no residual activity to protect the fish from bacterial re-infection. Is there a way of making the drugs ‘stick’ to the wound?

Yes there is. New stock of Gel Powder have arrived just in time. This powder, when applied to the wound will adhere firmly to the fish’s slippery skin, as well as absorbing the topical antiseptic. This forms a barrier that lasts more than just a few seconds in the water.

See a video on how it works by clicking here.

Place your order now.

As part of the George Alexander International Fellowship Grant I was awarded, I’m planning on visiting these venues and colleagues. I’ve hired a car and have plugged in all the addresses in my GPS. Driving to my accommodation, I found that turning left is the most challenging when driving on the opposite side of the road!

STUNNED beachgoers in New Zealand stumbled over what looks like the carcass of a mysterious marine animal.

Read more at this link.

Just a few more minutes before my flight takes off to Hawaii!

As you know, I have been awarded The George Alexander Foundation International Fellowship, officiated by the International Specialised Skills Institute (http://www.issinstitute.org.au/). With that, I’ve registered to attend the Seavet course (http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/seavet/) during June 2013 in Florida, USA. The 2-week course will cover veterinary aspects of marine megafauna such as sharks, stingrays, fish, pinnipeds, cetaceans, manatees, turtles and penguins.

I will also be visiting Hawaii Dept Agriculture, the University of Hawaii at Hilo and The University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin, FL, USA.

It is my intention that I gather a list of relevant contacts so that I can disseminate the information upon my return as part of my Fellowship.

I am collating questions from stakeholders for me to ask the experts, so that the information I’ll be disseminating when I return will be relevant to you. I’ve started a Google Document that you may add your questions to, under the respective headings.
The virtual file will be called “Seavet 2013 Questions from ISSI Distribution List” and here is the link.

Note that this file will be available to anyone with the link. So, be careful not delete anyone else’s questions. I’ll be in touch upon my return. Thank you for your interest and support.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Vet Path), MANZCVS (Aquatics), MANZCVS (Pathobiology).
Veterinarian | Adjunct Senior Lecturer Murdoch University | President-elect World Aquatic Vet Med Assoc|
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS)
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA. Mobile Veterinary Service for fish and other aquatic creatures.

http://www.thefishvet.com.au

Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383

Its flavour and texture definitely does not match the look of the fish… unless you like eating monster.

I’m so glad it’s reporting that they’ve gained the Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability because the Patagonian toothed fish is my favourite fish to eat.

Read more…