Sad post. Anyone ever have to euthanise?

[kitty falol]

My poor little yellow. My oldest guppy, really is on his last legs.

He was one of my first fish - and the only one to survive the cycle. (Damn the LFS advice )

He's been ill for about 2 and a half months now. His belly has been getting bigger and bigger and nothing I've done has helped. A week ago I noticed that his side had 'burst', but he soldiered on, shimmying around and eating happily. But today he's just lying on the bottom and moving around from time to time.

Knowing him, he could be like this for days and I hate to think of him suffering. I know I probably should have euthanised him a long time ago, but, I just couldn't bring myself to do it, not while he was still active.

I've resigned myself to using the clove oil method (couldn't bear to use anything more violent than that) but I just wanted reassurance from others that this is the most humane method.

To be honest, I'm kind of hoping that he'll go off to that little ocean in the sky by himself, but I think he's really suffering now......

Not really sure why I posted this, I'm just really conflicted at the moment

 

[Joby]

So sorry to hear about your guppy, he sounds like a trooper. If you are really sure that he's had enough then the best thing you can do for him is to help him let go.

I have used the clove oil method and yes it is peaceful. I feel awful when I have to do it but you don't want to see the poor things suffering.

Just make sure you add it slowly and keep swishing it around and shake the bottle very thoroughly each time before you add anymore so it looks white.

It should only take a couple of minutes for his gills to stop moving but keep him in the solution for at least an hour (its what I do anyway)

 

[kitty falol]

Hi Joby

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad to hear you recommend the method yourself.

I haven't been able to bring myself to do it yet. He's started swimming around now and he had something to eat when I fed them earlier. I don't know, I tend to think that as long he's swimming and eating, he must be getting something out of life. He's shimmying with his body sitting in the middle of the bubbles at the moment.

I think I'll keep an eye on him and wait until he starts spending more time on the bottom - he seemed a lot worse this morning than he does now

My other half's made me promise that if I do euthanise him I won't tell him, I've got to say that he died peacefully. He's a big softie, bless him.

 

[balloon molly]

aww i am very sorry for your guppy.he sounds definately like a soldier.
it was so sad when i lost my first male mollie before i got back from texas.
i dont think you would like the other way of putting him to sleep.cutting off his head

 

[Cathydiane]

What does clove oil do? I've never heard of this, but I'm brand new around here too. Is it painful at all? Is this the only way? Just need to know for later I fear...

 

[Sorrell]

Clove oil is an anesthetic which renders the fish unconcious and they go into respiratory failure, supposed to be very peaceful

I'm sorry about your fish, it's always hard to lose one and especially when you have a hard decision like this