Author: TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

The following is taken from
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Following the success of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) Global Seminar on Animal Welfare (held in Prague in September 2013), the WVA and the European Commission (EC) agreed to keep "alive" the global platform on Animal Welfare and to facilitate participation of veterinarians from all over the world by organising a follow up event via a webinar (on-line seminar).

The Webinar was entitled “Veterinary leadership: “Empowering tools for vets in the field of Animal Welfare”. It gave the floor to representatives from AVMA, EFSA, EC, FAO, FVE, IVSA, OIE, WAVMA, WSPA, WVA and the regions of Africa, Asia and Latin-America to present and discuss tools available for veterinarians in the different Animal Welfare fields. The Webinar was attended mostly by veterinarians and veterinary students from 56 countries.

Scope of the global webinar on animal welfare

• To facilitate continuous dialogue and discussion between all global organisations and stakeholders in the fields of veterinary animal welfare.
• To allow veterinarians from all over the world to participate in these discussions
• To develop and promote the veterinary profession engagement in all animal welfare fields worldwide.

The webinar was structured around 5 cases. Participants and panel members exchanged comments and ideas on the presentations and replied to poll questions on various issues related to the Webinar topics. In the end of each session, the moderator announced the poll results.

The WAVMA presented on Animal welfare in aquaculture (link to download presentation).

The poll asked if animal welfare tools cover the needs of aquaculture. 86% of the respondents said that the available animal welfare tools do not cover the needs of aquaculture, 5% replied yes and 9% replied that it varies for the different species.

I’ve had a few clients complain about algae issues recently.

Algae is a plant and so the things they need to grow include sunlight, warmth and nutrients.

Over the summer, the nutrient loads may accumulate from increased feeding, and perhaps fewer water changes (many only top up losses from evaporation). Luckily the warmth and amount of sunlight is reducing.

But what if you’re still having problem algae? What can you do?

Please find information from a previous post – https://thefishvet.com/2012/02/08/algae-treatments-for-ponds-and-aquaria/

If you’ve more questions for your situation, we can always organise a consultation
(select item from my website’s shopping cart).

Buoyancy disorders are quite common in twin-tailed varieties of goldfish (this includes the Oranda). Normally they float, but they can also sink. Fish are normally slightly negatively buoyant and this allows them to swim with ease. Being sunken is not as big an issue as floating. The main reasons are that they won’t be in danger of drying, and do not have the stress of struggling to keep upright. Floating fish can be corrected by removing excess gas from the swimbladder, or by surgical placement of a ballast in their abdomen. On the otherhand, a sunken fish is more difficult to fix. It may require inserting air into the swimbladder (which may be difficult to locate if deflated). You’ll have to maintain the gravel clean and smooth, so that it doesn’t get infections on its ventral surfaces. See also, http://youtu.be/ita7URiO9Qs

However, we must try to find the reason for the issue. Common reasons include bacterial infection (including Mycobacteria), neoplasia (cancer), inflammatory conditions of the swimbladder and cystic kidneys. You’d need to take your fish to see an aquatic veterinarian to make the diagnosis. They may make a blood smear for examination for signs of inflammation, X-ray to find any masses that’s causing improper swimbladder function, fine needle aspirate to see what the mass is (if present), etc.

To learn more about this condition, see also

https://thefishvet.com/?s=buoyancy+disorder

I’m very excited about inviting you to register to attend the Half-day, Finfish Clinical Exam & Diagnostic Sampling Wetlab at the 2014 AVMA Convention, Denver, Colorado on Monday 28 July.

Our All-Star aquatic veterinarian team of 8 will take participants through the practical aspects of making a diagnosis of various fish ailments. Our team includes Drs Myron Kebus, Nicholas Saint-Erne, Terry Campbell, Roxanna Smolowitz, Richmond Loh, Thomas Waltzek, Esteban Soto & Jena Questen.

The wetlab is limited to 30 attendees and is filling fast – register while there’s still a place!

Reserve your hotelbefore you register, and save $25 on your convention registration fee!

Click here for registration categories & fees (rates increase after June 30!)

Click here to register online!

Be inspired to attend by watching this video.

Check this out!

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/gascoyne/a/23420646/baby-whale-rescue-becomes-a-video-hit/

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Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
E: thefishvet
P: +61 (0)421 822 383

On Sunday 25 May, KSWA will be having their koi judging show at the Cannington Greyhounds 10am-3:30pm.

The following night is the presentation dinner. I’ve been invited by the club to attend the dinner and I’ve ONE spare ticket (valued at $45) to give away. We’d be sitting at the main table with the Presidents of the club and the Japanese judge.

If you’re interested, email your full name to: thefishvet@gmail.com
by 15 May .

And tell me why you’re interested in attending.

Venue details:

Monday 26 May 2014, 6:30pm for a 7pm start.
Upstairs at The Oxford Hotel, Leederville
Buffet dinner.

Follow me on: Facebook "Fin Page" – YouTube – Blog – Linkedin – Twitter

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian | Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University | President WAVMA |
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – ANZCVS.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA. Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
Skype: thefishvet

Looking for more books? Check out this site.

I listened to an interesting program on the radio this week about the Western Australia’s Department of Fisheries’ infamous shark cull program. The mitigation program ended on April 30 and they are planning to resume from November 23^rd, to coincide with popular swimming season.

What sparked the implementation of the mitigation program? There had been a recent apparent increase in shark attacks on swimmers/divers by the great white sharks. But how do you kill such sharks are a protected species worldwide (including all other states in Australia)? The Minister of Fisheries sought exemption, based on the premise that they are a danger to society. The mitigation program involved putting out boats and jet skis, and helicopter surveillance at the popular swimming spots. Additionally, baited drum lines are placed approximately 1km from the shores in these areas to capture sharks that pose imminent danger to humans. These drum lines were checked from sunrise to sun down. They would release any fish caught that are less than 3m, and kill any larger than 3m.

So, has it been a success? According to reports, 172 sharks were caught, the majority being tiger sharks. None were the great whites.

So, I ask again, has it been a success? Should it be repeated?