The Fish Vet's Blog

The turtle models are now completed, just in time for World Turtle Day.

As a favour for the Turtle Oblonga Rescue & Rehabilitation Network (TORRN), I commissioned (asked) my father (John Loh) to produce some clay turtle pieces.

The moulds were prepared in 6 hours, and then allowed to dry over a few weeks.

Clay was pressed into the moulds and then they were carefully removed and remodelled (a delicate process taking 7 hours).

They were then allowed to dry slowly over several days to prevent cracks, in preparation for firing.

The dried models were fired in a kiln at 1100 degrees Celsius, over a 9 hour period.

Once cooled, colour and polish were applied to the models, taking 7 hours.

This work is my father’s contribution to the cause.

—
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

Very often, diseased fishes show a limited range of lesions, and most of these just mean the fish is sick. Apart from perhaps white spot disease, many clinical signs of illness such as skin ulcers, bloat, dropsy, pop-eye and flashing are not specific to any disease agent.

I often receive calls from clients who’d been to multiple places to get advice on what to do. Some good advice, and some less than optimal. But it’s often those who speak most convincingly that we tend to listen to… and perhaps to our detriment.

I’d like to share this comic strip from last week’s papers to illustrate what we fish keepers, and fish veterinarians deal with.

Male-only genetics to rid rivers of carp.

“… a new technique first used to control insects is providing hope.

‘Daughterless’ gene technology causes the fish to have only male offspring, resulting in the eventual collapse of the population.

After successful trials on zebra fish, it is now being trialled on carp with preliminary results proving positive.”

Read more here.

I’ve been seeing many businesses advertise they’re specialists in this and that. And so, out of curiosity, I googled the word ‘specialist’. This is what I found.

Fair enough. I guess all my clients are the watery kind and that could make me a specialist.

But did you know that in the medical and veterinary profession, such relaxed use of the term ‘specialist’ is frowned upon, unless you have specialist registration in that profession.

At the moment, the highest examined qualification that veterinarians with special interest in fish is the MANZCVS in Aquatic Animal Health.

Long story short, I’d take a closer look at the qualifications of so-called doctors and specialists. Do they call themselves or their businesses ‘doctor’ because they have a degree in medicine, veterinary science or a PhD? Do they call themselves ‘specialists’ because they are registered with body as such? Some food for thought…

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

From Richmond Loh President at World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) Perth Area, Australia TheFishVet, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. – Richmond Confirm that you know Richmond You are receiving Invitation to Connect emails. Unsubscribe © 2014, LinkedIn Corporation. 2029 Stierlin Ct. Mountain View, CA 94043, USA

In cartoons, when they get a bump on their head, they see birds flying around their head.

Q: What would fish see?

A: They sea stars!

A couple of weeks ago, a competition was launched (https://thefishvet.com/2014/05/11/one-complimentary-dinner-ticket-to-give-away-koi-society-of-wa-awards-presentation-night/)
to see who’d accompany me at the main table at the awards night for best koi in their categories in Perth.

When you read his response, you can see he’s an automatic winner!

I would love to go with you Doctor,

And talk about my favorite thing – Fish…

And you will enjoy my company…

… you need me.

Hope to see you there, and I hope others will enjoy his company too 😉

—
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

A growing base of scientific evidence has shown that the absorption of human-produced carbon dioxide into the world’s oceans is causing surface waters to decline in pH, causing a rise in acidity. This ocean acidification is known to disrupt the growth of shells and skeletons of certain marine animals but other consequences such as behavioral impacts have been largely unknown.

Read more here..

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

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