Best Way To Cure Cuts/wounds

[LolaLouie]

My DG has a wound on his side, I have treated with melafix but it has no effect. The wound is a pea sized pink circle, it is a surface cut.

Any tips on how to make it better?

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

What's a DG?

years ago we would apply mecurichrome directly onto the wound. Allow it to dry for a few seconds and then put the fish back in the tank. You can do the same thing with most fish medications, just try not to dstress the fish out when you are catching it.

 

[LolaLouie]

Sorry DG= Dwarf Gourami.

What's mercurichrome?!?

Thanks for the reply Colin!

 

[geo7x]

Are you sure it's just a cut?

Small wounds should heal themselves with clean water, using a broad spectrum bacterial med to prevent it from becoming infected if necessary.

 

[LolaLouie]

I treated with melafix (broad spectrum bacteria) and protozin (more specific antibacterial) but neither had any effect which is why i'm at a bit of a loss. He's had the wound for a week or 2 but for the 1st time today i noticed him scratching it (flicking agains plants and the glass).

Any ideas?

 

[Colin_T]

Mecurichrome is an old fashioned remedy for cuts and wounds. It's a bit like purple paint (gentian violet I think that was) except red. Ask you grand ma about it.

Wounds that don't heal in dwarf gouramis are often caused by flesh eating bacteria that cause ulcers. It can be a symptom of fish TB (Mycobacterium) or the dwarf gourami iridovirus.
Flesh eating bacteria need to be treated with pretty strong antibiotics that are normally obtained through a vet. I think the most common flesh eater is Aeromonos sp and Tetracycline is commonly used to kill it.
Most commonly available fish medications won't work on it if it is a flesh eating bug.

You can try to boost the fish's immune system with vitamin C and betacarotene. These can be added to the fish food and fed several times a day. Sometimes it can help.

 

[geo7x]

Could you post a nice clear picture of the wound? It may be something more than just a cut.

 

[corey01]

i would recommend aquarium salt..but dwarf gouramies being prone to illnesses, dont risk it, unless anyone else has used it with them?

 

[LolaLouie]

Not the best pic but he doesn't stay still long!



1 just below his dorsal fin (this has mostly healed) and another on his tummy at the front just by his side fin.

 

[WILDER]

I would take a look here to rule it out.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Gouramis...ami-Mini-F-A-Q/

 

[LolaLouie]

He has no symptoms other than the sores and his torn fins. I'll do some research, I don't want to use any meds though as i have used about 4 different meds in my tank over the past month and none of them have done anything.

I'm starting to think meds don't work and that maybe it's just best to leave the fish (or quarentine them).

 

[WILDER]

I know you had alot of problems with your fish.
Uk med are not that strong, and also if a fish has a weak immune system unable to fight infection off.

Did you use the parasite med.
http/www.fishforums.net/content-page/237...nation/page/20/
Have you lost any fish to being skinny with bent spines.

 

[LolaLouie]

No skinny fish with bent spines. Symptoms have mostly been lethargy, stopped eating, died. (internal bacteria?) but this seems to be sorted now. Only the DG has a problem (these ulcers and fins) and my catfish with the ulcers has still not recovered.

I have used the following meds and none have had any effect:

Protozin (anti bacterial)
Wormer Plus (parasites, worms etc.)
Interpet no 9 (anti internal bacteria)
Melafix (broad spectrum anti bacteria)

I'm really at a loss, I think i've used every medicine in my LFS.

Does the fact that he is scratching it help in diagnosis? I guess that probably leans towards it being some sort of parasite/bacteria right?

 

[WILDER]

Yes ulcers and sores can be caused by parasites.
The wormer plus should of covered some parasites.
Does any fish still have slime on them.

 

[LolaLouie]

No, no slime and in fact I don't think my cory ever had slime, when i looked more closely it seemed more like it was little gauges out of his skin rather than slime.