When a fish is out of water for a significant period, their tissues will be exposed to the air and desiccation is a real issue.
In addition to putting the fish back in the water as soon as possible, treatment and recovery will need to address a few things:
1. Damaged skin needs healing.
2. Damaged skin is leakier.
3. Secondary bacterial infection might set in.
4. Pain management needs to be addressed.
To address these, provide:
1. Vitamin C to promote wound repair and immunity.
2. Reduce the osmoregulatory stress by bringing the water 1-5ppt closer to its body (i.e. Raise salinity for freshwater fish, and reduce salinity in marine fish).
3. Broad spectrum antibiotics to fend off secondary bacterial infection.
4. Meloxicam or flunixin as anti-inflammatory.
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV WAVMA.
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
E: thefishvet
P: +61 (0)421 822 383
