Do I Euthanize And Start Again? :(:(

[Leeore]

Yes, the subject is as grim as it sounds. As some of you may know by my recent posts iv been battling callumanus worms. Well, I spent the last of my money on a very expensive package of Panacur from the US (Not sold in the country unless perscribed by a vet...they dont deal with fish!). I followed the dosage instructions and after 2 doses the worms are still present. Im down to my last dose tonite. So the question is...do I euthanize and start all over? I really really dont want to...I love my fish and the thought of it makes me cringe but iv tried everything, and now it looks like they are just going to suffer. 3 of my 5 fish do not seem to be infected...but you never know with these things.

I was thinking of maybe going a step further and placing a small granule of the med in my most infected fishes mouth but im not too sure how safe that is

Thoughts?

 

[fatheadminnow]

I would do the last dose and see where that takes you!

-FHM

 

[Leeore]

I would do the last dose and see where that takes you!

-FHM

Im crossing my fingers about it. But if it does not work...what do you suggest?

 

[fatheadminnow]

personally I would keep the fish alive as long as possible. That is just me; I can't see myself killing a fish from my tank.

-FHM

 

[Leeore]

personally I would keep the fish alive as long as possible. That is just me; I can't see myself killing a fish from my tank.

-FHM

I want to. But I dont know if keeping them alive is best, or how painful it would be to die from these parasites. Thank you for the input, if the dose tonite does not work then il probably end up waiting and seeing how long they will live for...sigh.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Your welcome!

Let us know what the outcome is!

-FHM

 

[hamfist]

My thoughts are to never euthanise unless a fish is suffering unduly with virtually no hope of recovery. Don't know the exact state of your tank, but is that the case ?

If so, then maybe it would be kindest/wisest to euthanise any fish that fulfil the criteria above, and then see how the others fare. Even without treatment there are always some fish that are more resistant to any infection than others. If you have fish which have not, as yet, succumbed to the worms then they may well never do so.

My advice would therefore be to euthanise any hopeless fish (to remove the load of parasites from your system) and then continue with your final treatment.

I really hope this works out for you !!

 

[Bridie]

Just one word to Panacur. It is classified as NFA-VPS in the UK, which means it is not only available at vets, but also at pharmacies and some petshops (they need a registered, qualified person working there). Therefore I can not see the need of importing drugs. I work at a vet surgery myself. We usually don't deal with fish, but I think if somebody wanted Panacur for their fish we would be able to supply it.
I imagine one granule would still be a huge overdose for a wee fish, I would be really careful with dosing orally. On the other hand, if the alternative is euthanisia, it's worth a try. Are you sure you dosed it correctly, and you don't have any activated coal, zeolite or other absorbing filters?
I hope you can save your fish!
Bridie