Nearly 1000 likes for my Fanpage! What should I do when we get there?

Posted on by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

I can feel it’s coming very soon!

Thank you to everyone for liking and sharing and inviting this page

https://facebook.com/thefishvetdrloh

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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

What’s TheFishVet doing at the zoo today?

Posted on by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

Today’s interesting fish job was at the Perth Zoo. "Pepper" the koi needed a growth removed from her eye. Here I talked the zoo vet and vet nurse through the anaethesia, pain management, surgery and post-operative care. They did a fantastic job! "Pepper" is now recouperating, prior to be put back with her friends in the Japanese Gardens.

And as a reward, I got to meet Simmo, the giant salt water crocodile, up close and personal. I’m glad to say I still have all my limbs!

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

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Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), 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

What type of aquarium heater is best?

Posted on by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

The most common types are external pads and submersible heaters.

Under-tank pad-type heaters are liked by some because it’s out of sight, making it less messy. They’re not all that efficient (they lose heat to the base and have to hear the tank base, to heat the water) and are only good to raise water temperature only a few degrees above environmental temperature. It works well in a temperature controlled room, like an office.

Submersible heaters are commonly encased in glass. These are fragile. Some are encased in special plastic to make them less likely to break, perfect for boisterous large fishes. Some glass heaters may be fitted with a guard. Submersible heaters are thermostatically controlled and should be more efficient since they are in direct contact with the water. Place at an angle rather than horizontal to avoid fish sitting on the element and getting burnt. Not vertical because it’s less efficient that way, if relying on convection current to circulate water.

How do you decide what medicine to give to your fish, and how?

Posted on by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

Delivery of medications for fish can be extremely challenging. Determining drug-dosing options for our domestic animals is usually fairly straightforward because they are listed on the bottle. Finding appropriate drug dosages for fish species can be quite challenging and often requires a ‘leap of faith’ to try something new or unproven for the first time.

Considerations for oral delivery might include:

  • Availability of formulation? – reasonable concentration, compounding options
  • Palatability/acceptability of formulation – need to combine with food or water?
  • Bioavailability for the species
  • Dosing interval required
  • Cost

Considerations for injectable delivery might include:

  • Concentration available – reasonable volume, compounding options
  • Dosing interval required for effective treatment
  • Darting options vs. hand-syringe – acceptability for patient
  • Cost

Considerations for in-water medication delivery might include:

  • Concentration available – reasonable volume, compounding options
  • Dosing interval required for effective treatment
  • Effect on the biofilter
  • Cost

Developing a rational therapeutic plan requires several basic things:

  • Understanding the drug in question – researching available pharmacological information
  • Understanding the use of the drug in known species
  • Understanding the patients physiology, etc. – researching species information

Once these facts are known you can:

  • Determine the closest related species for which drug experience is well established
  • Extrapolate an ‘optimal’ therapeutic plan based on the available information
  • Carefully adjust the ‘optimal’ plan to a safe and effective ‘practical’ plan considering the limitations of the case at hand (remote delivery, frequency of administration options, formulation options, etc.)

 

Fortunately, I have made available, “Fish Vetting Medicines: Formulary of Fish Treatments” and “Fish Vetting Essentials“. The former will be your “little black book” that you’ll be referring to every time you need a dose rate for medicines used in fishes. The red book is to help you diagnose fish ailments.

Get your copy now, at thefishvet.com.au

 

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Apologies. My blog’s been compromised.

Posted on by TheFishVet - Richmond's School of Fish

Please bear with me till I fix the security settings.

—
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