The Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual is a single-reference guide detailing the hands-on care of elasmobranchs; a “how to care for” sharks, rays and chimaeras. This volume is intended to assist in the development of new exhibits, aid in the training of husbandry personnel, prepare scientists for hands-on work with elasmobranchs, and answer specific questions about this important taxonomic group. The entire Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual is available to download free of charge from this site https://sites.google.com/site/elasmobranchhusbandry/manual
TheFishVet’s free webinar a success!
Last night, we had over 80 registrants attend the webinar on diseases in ornamental fishes. It took a unique approach, working from the fish species and then delving into the common issues they get.
Dr Loh has been invited to present more of these entertaining and informative talks for the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.
2nd International Elasmobranch Husbandry Symposium.
Do you think dolphins are over-rated? Are you in love with sharks?
This group is dedicated to the conservation and ethical care of sharks, skates, rays and chimeras.
Check out information on the up coming conference which will be held from 11-13 November 2013 in Monterey, California, USA. http://www.elasmobranchhusbandry.org/
The Fish Vet now services clients in WA, NSW, Victoria & Tasmania.
With the national veterinary registration in full swing in the states of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, and with my primary registration in WA, you can now access The Fish Vet’s services in most parts of Australia. With modern technology on hand, you are no longer restricted to using fish vets located in the eastern states. You can now access the vet from the west.
Does this mean that you can get scripts for veterinary medicines or get drugs sent in the mail every time you need some Flagyl, Baytril or other antibiotics for your fishes?
Under the veterinary regulations,
a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is necessary. What does this mean for your situation? It means that I must have personally seen your fish and/or visited your premises at least once in the past year before I can give a written veterinary prescription or order, for distributing and/or administrating medicines and, aquatic disease vaccines and bacterins.
A great way of utilising Dr Loh’s services if you are in remote locations include histology slide processing and histopathology assessments.
What can looking at fish poo tell you about your fish health?
In most fish, faecal trails do not hang on for a long time since their normal swimming action would break the trail. Goldfish tend to have a longer trail because they swim slowly and their trail is of larger diameter, making it ‘tougher’ to break. But these should come off easily when the fish is disturbed.
Healthy faeces should be dark and not contain gas bubbles. If it contains bubbles, causing the faecal trail to float (see picture below), then there might be issues. Bacterial imbalance or parasites may be possible reasons. The way to investigate it is to examine the faeces under the microscope to look for evidence of parasites and to culture the gut flora to check for presence of pathogenic bacteria. Over feeding is obvious when the faeces produced is the same colour as the food you fed them.
Fish Joke for Monday-itis: jousting.
Q: What fish is good at jousting?
A: A swordfish.
How should I keep and care for goldfish?
Not long ago, I worked with the RSPCA in developing the fish sections for their knowledge base to answer some of the most popular queries. Tanks sizes was one of them. So, I’d like to point you to this publication that is available on line – How should I keep and care for goldfish?
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology).
Veterinarian | Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University | President-elect WAVMA |
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – ANZCVS.
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA. Mobile Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services for fish and other aquatic creatures.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
Looking for more books? Check out this site.
Naked female scientist tries to tame beluga whales in the arctic | Mail Online
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology).
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
E: thefishvet
P: +61 (0)421 822 383
Robotic fish to save the planet!
I saw something similar at the Spy Museum in NY last year. A robotic catfish built for spying.
Robotic fish seek out pollution.
AVMA Statement on Veterinarians in Aquatic Animal Medicine.
The following is a position statement by the American Veterinary Medical Association within the proposed WVA/WAVMA policy (https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/AVMA-Statement-on-Veterinarians-in-Aquatic-Animal-Medicine.aspx)
Veterinarians in the United States provide animal and public health care (i.e. diagnose disease, perform surgery, evaluate and recommend management procedures and prescribe treatment). The practice of veterinary medicine encompasses aquatic animals, including aquatic livestock and pets, and is controlled by state veterinary practice acts. Veterinarians are accredited by federal agencies to carry out programs for the control of disease, and are licensed by state agencies to diagnose disease, prescribe therapy, and implement programs for the prevention, control and treatment of disease in all vertebrate and invertebrate species.
Because of their education in comparative anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, toxicology, epidemiology, surgery, therapeutics, as well as preventive and regulatory medicine, veterinarians are familiar with bio-security, disease prevention and control, the use of pharmaceuticals, biologics, pesticides and their potential for adverse affects. The principles acquired in this education also apply to aquatic species and their environments. Veterinarians are licensed as animal health care providers who prescribe and dispense drugs for treatment of all animal species to relieve animal suffering and assure target animal safety, efficacy of treatment, and public health protection. The concerns for maintaining a safe food supply and avoiding potential risks of drug residues and environmental contamination are parallel in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In the execution of these responsibilities, veterinarians are held to a high level of accountability and legal liability for their professional activities. This is appropriate for all health care professionals, particularly where public health and safety are concerned.
The management of aquatic animal health overlaps the legal and professional practice of veterinary medicine. The AVMA and the state veterinary boards should be consulted in the development of professional standards applicable to animal health, including qualifications, education, and examination.
The AVMA believes that conflicting regulatory, legal, and professional interests will be created if federal and state conservation agencies are given exclusive control over aquatic animal health issues, including those of the private aquaculture industries. The needs of private and public aquaculture must be balanced with public health concerns while providing a safe and abundant food supply and preserving natural aquatic animal resources.
Most countries in the world community recognize and require a veterinarian’s examination and signature on certificates for shipment and importation of aquatic species. The standards of the U.S. should be in harmony with other countries. Therefore, the AVMA supports the concept that USDA accredited veterinarians, state veterinarians, and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service should be the final authorities in inspecting and certifying the health of aquatic animals. The AVMA supports and will promote additional education of existing accredited private, state, and federal veterinarians to deal with aquatic animal health inspection and certification of aquaculture stock.