All about Fish Vetting – Dr Richmond Loh
There’s going to be another long hot dry spell.
If you’ve outdoor ponds, are keeping temperate or coldwater species, you’ll need to prepare.
Check out some tips on surviving the heat.
https://thefishvet.com/2012/01/24/how-do-protect-fish-from-the-heat/
Check out these great resources available at – wavma.org
Ellen Ariel, PhD “Turtle Tribulations in Australia” discussing different types of marine turtles and problems they encounter (45 minutes, given June 4, 2015)
Matt Gray, PhD “Ranaviruses: Cry Wolf or Real Threat?” dealing with the pathobiology & epidemiology of ranaviruses in amphibians & fish (1 hr, given Feb 3, 2014)
Laurie Richardson, PhD “Challenges and Approaches to the Study of Coral Health and Disease” about coral reef conservation issues, trends, drivers & causes of coral reef die offs, and challenges posed by diseases (1 hr, given Feb 26, 2014)
John Reynolds, PhD “Aquatic Animal Health in a Changing World: What is a health professional to do?” concerning conservation medicine and ecological biodiversity of marine mammals, and what may be achievable in the future (1 hr, given March 26, 2014)
Iske Larkin, PhD “Conservation Issues of Aquatic Animals” dealing with how aquatic animals & human activities fit into conservation medicine, and the interactions that are necessary for balanced ecosystems (1 hr, given Aug. 21, 2013)
Martine de Wit, DVM “Unusual Manatee Mortality Events” explaining a variety of manatee deaths & how they were investigated to determine the actual cause (1 hr, given Oct 30, 2013)
Michelle Davis, DVM, DACZM “Stranding & Rehabilitation Programs" covering an overview of Sea World’s veterinary rehabilitation of marine mammal, sea turtle, avian & other species, and research programs with these animals (51 min, given Nov. 20, 2013)
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPh (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
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
President WAVMA 2014
Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University
See advert on YouTube.
Just did an attention-grabbing headline. It could give people the wrong impression. But seriously, this is why biosecurity is a must for all farmed animals, supported by good surveillance and comprehensive testing.
Read more about the incident at this link –
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-02/poms-oyster-disease-found-in-tasmania-for-first-time/7132580
A fact sheet produced by the government and oyster growers can be accessed at this link.
2011-043-POMS Long Version – Q A Fact Sheet.pdf
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA.
Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
Nice one I came across in today’s newspaper.
Have you been frustrated that there are no fish vets near you? Well, here’s a way you can help to change that!
For more than 10 years, WAVMA has developed many programs to serve the discipline of aquatic veterinary medicine, advancing the profession for the betterment of animals, society at large, and the world we live in. Two of the programs that focus specifically on veterinary students are the WAVMA Aquatic Veterinary Student Externship List and the John L. Pitts Aquatic Veterinary Education Awards Program.
The Education Awards Program’s goal is to assist veterinary students and new veterinary graduates in becoming more involved with aquatic veterinary medicine by providing financial support for activities that broaden their understanding of the varied career opportunities within the field. Since its inception in 2010, the Program has awarded over $38,000 to 58 veterinary students and recent graduates from 37 colleges and universities across 4 continents. These funds, which have come from a small number of individuals and organizations, have helped recipients participate in externships at public, private, and academic institutions and attend conferences, workshops, and short courses all over the world, as detailed in the attachment. We need your help to ensure the Program is sustainable and continues to grow.
The Program was started to honor the late John L. Pitts, DVM, who was passionate about student involvement in the profession and a global approach to aquatic veterinary medicine. His service to the profession began as a veterinary student in 1969 when he helped create a national chapter for the Student American Veterinary Medical Association. John also helped in the formation of the National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators, the Aquaculture and Seafood Advisory Committee of the AVMA, and he worked tirelessly to shape and encourage the passage of the Minor Uses and Minor Species Act of 2004. To continue John’s vision, a small all-volunteer committee comprised of individuals representing private practice, academia, past recipients, WAVMA student members, and the Pitts family work to administer this program.
From the number of applications that are received each year and the remarkable quality of the applicants, it is clear the Program is filling an important need and making a difference in the lives of people who are shaping the future of aquatic veterinary medicine. We have accomplished a lot. With your help we can do more.
Your donation to the John L. Pitts Aquatic Veterinary Education Awards Program will make a difference. Please help us expand the number of students who are finding their place in the global field of aquatic veterinary medicine.
To make a donation and to learn more about this exciting program, please visit PittsEduAwards-Admin.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Walster BVMS MVPH CertAqV MRCVS
WAVMA President 2015
Nick Saint-Erne, DVM, CertAqV
Certified Aquatic Veterinarian
WAVMA President 2016
Answer: Malacology.
Joke inspired by Prof. Lewbart’s webinar.
Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{
The release of KHV has been deemed necessary by the scientists working on the project, to bring Australian waterways back to their pre-European days, for the purpose of removing non-native carp that cause environmental and predatory effects on native fish populations. Before going down this expensive and irreversible experiment on our national ecosystems, and threaten the lives of every pet koi in Australia, it’d be useful to have a proper review of the popular notion that carp are the great destroyer of the waterways.
In my recent blog (http://wp.me/p1BQjt-1Wc), using publically published government materials, I’ve compared the "carp-infested" waterways (that’ve had massive human intervention) with examples of rivers that are running naturally. There are no carp problems in the latter. Bear in mind that the carp we’re apparently afraid of, are non-aggressive prey-species, whereas those we’re trying to conserve are large carnivores with higher environmental requirements (e.g. water quality, flow, habitat) to complete their life cycles.
The powers have commissioned a company to enumerate the value of the koi and carp industry. What economic value do they have against the food fish or the recreational fishing industry? To koi owners, what is their value, when they are priceless?
KHV is without doubt, a devastating disease. Another question to raise is, what are the animal welfare implications of its release?
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPh (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
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
President WAVMA 2014
Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University
Answer is…
Because they can wing it.
Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{
There’s dialogue occuring within the global aquatic veterinary community (WAVMA) about Australia’s planned release (early 2017) of KHV to kill the apparently feral pest carp.
In a blog by the leading scientist, carp are purported to breed like rabbits (https://blog.csiro.au/reclaiming-our-rivers-from-feral-carp/)? That’s inaccurate. Carp, like many other fish species produce eggs by multiples more.
Australia is one of the few countries remaining free from a variety of animal diseases. Is the intentional release of KHV warranted? Are we being led to believe that carp is the cause of destruction of Australian waterways? Or is it perhaps an easy option to point the finger at them?
There’s growing debate among our peers that carp are decimating native fish populations, sometimes contributing up to 90% of the biomass of certain aquatic environments. We cannot argue with facts. But are we making the right interpretations and assumptions from this fact?
I did some quick research on Australian government websites to see what they say is the real problem with our waterways. Here’s what I found.
The information below is taken from: http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-rivers-with-regulated-flows
"The health of Australian rivers is measured against their condition before European settlement…."
"Murray–Darling Basin, have had their flows regulated by humans [] in a massive engineering scheme… these changes in water management have affected the flow and quality of water in the Murray–Darling and salinity is a major issue… has affected the plants and wildlife. In the same period… there was extensive removal of most of the native vegetation… The led to erosion and, along with overgrazing and the building of levee banks, has dramatically affected the flow… and the natural river environment."
"The problem of more water being taken out of Australian rivers than is going into them has also created issues with flow. A river needs a certain amount of water to flow properly, to provide the right living conditions for animals and fish, and to provide enough water for plants."
"The waters of Australian rivers are also being affected by the addition of certain substances, like sediment and nutrients.. such as fertilisers used on crops, … when there are too many nutrients in a river, an algal bloom will occur… When the algae in algal blooms eventually dies, it can kill the other kinds of plants and animals that live in the river.
Sediment occurs when dust and dirt resulting from erosion gets into the river water. Removing trees and plants from an area can greatly increase the rate of erosion. Over grazing with large numbers of animals like sheep and cows can also contribute to erosion. More erosion means more sediment and rivers with high amounts of sediment can kill the plants and animals that live in them."
In contrast, there are wild free flowing rivers in other parts of Australia. In these rivers carp are not key threats, they are not present, nor are they potentially present:
So now the question needs to be asked. Are carp occupying a degraded niche, or are they really causing the degradation? Is the state of our rivers a man-made phenomenon?
Bear in mind that when you point your finger at carp, there are three fingers pointing back at you.
Native fish flourish in natural rivers. Carp merely occupy disturbed waterways.
The truth is out there.
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPh (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
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
President WAVMA 2014
Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University
Fish Vetting Techniques & Practical Tips arms you with tools on the best ways to diagnose and treat any type of diseased fish.
This DVD with its videos makes it the single most comprehensive resource for every fish veterinarian, fish farm manager, fish hobbyist, biology student, veterinary school, zoo and aquaria.
All your questions about veterinary procedures on treating all fish types are answered in this DVD.
Experienced Australian aquatic veterinarian, Dr Richmond Loh, takes you on an absorbing journey into the world of fish vetting: learn how to take diagnostic samples, how to treat fish, and even how to anaesthetise fish and perform surgery!
Buy a copy now – soon you will be able to see how Dr Loh treats fish with full confidence!
Don’t wait! Order a copy of Fish Vetting Techniques & Practical Tips at http://thefishvet.com.au/shop/shopping.html
