Dropsy

[lilacamy931]

Some of you may know me and my diva queen of a boy Calcifer. He was my first betta which lead me to 8 other bettas over the following months (due ot his beauty and extremely colourful character). We had a bout of fin rot when he got a bit stressed out, he recovered well from it, but seems he now has dropsy and has been suffering since Thursday night, ballooning and getting bigger. I have been epsom bathing him and making him as comfortable as possible but do not think he is going to pull through this..He still has his personality and eating what given
This was him Thursday night

This was him yesterday

The bulge is still prone right side but has evened more and ballooned more. Is there anything further I can do? (As he seems comfortable and no ill effects as such I am making him comfortable and have decided not to euthanise for now - not sure if I could anyway..)

 

[finalfantay85]

Try posting this over in the emergency section and hopefully Wilder will be able to give you some advice but he might need antibiotics

 

[lilacamy931]

Already there too! Thanks finalfantay85, hope these pics will also help others recognise this symptom in their own and take action.

 

[jasminekiddell]

You say he is still himself, eating and still got the personality, i'd say if his behaviour changes in a bad way and he isn't happy and won't eat i'd euthanize him, although don't think i could ever do it ither! I like things to just be natural and take their course although i wouldn't like to see one of my fish suffer.
Goodluck xxxx

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks hon, will see how he goes day by day x

 

[razer121]

oh im sorry to hear....ive recently lost cloud to dropsy however he was in a much worse state. i was advised to give him salt baths from which ive noticed you are already doing , and also to give him interpet, i think i was to late though good luck! i hope he recovers soon

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks so much razer121, really sorry to hear about Cloud How often were you bathing him a day? I dont want to over stress him but so far the baths havent taken effect.Really sorry to hear about Cloud hon xx

 

[Gill]

so sorry to hear this, hope he pulls thru for you,

 

[finalfantay85]

Just a thought, could he be bloated or constipated? Have you tried peas?

 

[razer121]

Thanks so much razer121, really sorry to hear about Cloud How often were you bathing him a day? I dont want to over stress him but so far the baths havent taken effect.Really sorry to hear about Cloud hon xx

i was bathing him once a day, i tryed to train him so i think he trusted me lol but still it stresed him yes. i did it in a 4-5 litre tank, i did used fresh water declor'd and got it to the same temp (used a temostrip for this) he was scooped up in a small see-thru glass and then i simply moved him over and left him in there for about 20 mins, he hated it at first this was very clear! but after i was doin this once every day he did get use to it.

i hope my post is helpfull really hope he pulls thru, he such a lovely looking betta! and thanks for the kind words for cloud good luck!

 

[aly_starh]

Hiya amy, is he any better today? i really hope my spikey hasnt got it, but maybe its beacuse i dont want to admit that he more than likely has

 

[lilacamy931]

He didnt look it, but will have a thorough check tonight when he has his bat (thankfully he is a very good boy and lets me do what I will with him, such a good lad).

Betta_246 - do try the pea thingy first to try and ascertain, epsom salt baths can be good for extreme consipation as well.

Thanks for that razer121, sorry again for Cloud but thank you for sharing, ensures doing it right!

 

[aly_starh]

will do thanks
Hope Calcifier gets better soon

 

[loraxchick]

a few questions and comments
you can do salt dips 2X a day up to 30 mins at a time.
how is his poop (if youve seen them). are they normal or white and stringy? bloating like that can also be from internal parasites.
i would advise feeding him ONLY peas every other day for a week or so, in case he is severely constipated. dont feed any "regular" food during this time which may worsen the constipation.
you can try an antibacterial med in case it is bacterial dropsy (but very unlikely anything will help if it is truly dropsy (ie organ failure)
is he having trouble maintaining balance?
doubtful it is a tumor if it progressing rapidly.
best of luck with him. keep us updated. any chance of a more recent photo? HANG IN THERE!!
cheers

 

[lilacamy931]

Hi Loraxchick thanks for that on those questions;
Havent seen him poop unfortunately but cant see anything weird at the bottom of his tank.
He has only had peas for the last two times.
Have been giving myaxzin on the off chance or at least to help ease him.
He wasnt having trouble balancing but ballooning worse today and he does now wobble abit (still has his personality).
He probably hasnt ballooned as bad as others on here but it has progressed really quite rapidly...
Come on pics...load!
I have ordered essential pure clove oil in preparation (just in case and also really it is the only way could euthanise a fish so need some on hand..hope it is the right stuff). He is being such a trooper