What To Do With My Betta With Cancer

[newfishy]

well I have had Tweek for a long while now, and he very very obviously has some canceres tumors. he is eating and still swimming normally, however I know that when stressed out he tends to bite and eat his tail. right now there are no outside stresses in his life. he lives alone in a 5 gallon with a heater and sponge filter. I check the water stats often. there is nothing he could snag his tail on.

I can see several new tumors growing on him, including in his abdomen, particularly when a light shows from behind him. Tweek is also not a spring chicken either, I have had him for nearly a year, and he was full grown, but emaciatedly thin when I got him. I had planned to let him live out his life until he was no longer happy and the tail biting tells me he is very stressed.

I am going to post a few pics of what the cancer looks like, but honestly I think I should put him down, I don't want to see him any more in pain or discomfort.

 

[Truck]

AWW i hate cancer. hes a beautiful fish and i bet he thinks your a wonderful owner

 

[smegforbrains]

Poor guy. Such a handsome fella too.


I've never been affected by reading about people with illness, but it breaks my heart when I read of animals having such illness.


Thoughts are with the little chap

 

[Netty]

That is so sad He's so gorgeous and I remember when you got him. So difficult to let them go but you know what's best for your little guy.

 

[Spishkey]

if its not 'suffering' (how could you tell?) id personally leave it, but if i had something that big growing in/on me, i dont think id be too comfortable

 

[Spishkey]

and no she wont make a recovery, she is dying, it is just a matter of time. such is the circle of life, yes it may seem cruel at times but things happen that we cannot control.
but i thank you for your for your thoughts

 

[liz2]

Poor fish, if he is eating and swimming about still, I would keep him comfortable. I have 2 old boys, one is very thin, and spends all his time laying on top of his silk plant. Apart from feeding time when he comes to see me. The other one just sits on the bottom of the tank and comes to be fed. I dont think they are in pain they are just old. But it is your fish and I can tell you are fond of him so go with your instincts!

 

[kubora666]

how long are we looking at this fish living? is it like cancer in humans so a long period of non threatening health, or are we talking a few days?
try to make it as happy as possible =D

 

[Spishkey]

i think it would depend on if the tumour was actually attached to any vital organs or just kind of hanging there?

 

[kubora666]

i think it would depend on if the tumour was actually attached to any vital organs or just kind of hanging there?

yeah! thats true, if its just a big benign cancerous lump you could cut it off?
is there any way to tell?

 

[SharonCC]

Oh for Pete's sake!!!

Newfishy...I am sorry that your little guy is unwell. We had to make a decision like this with a dog. I always try to evaluate the quality of life. If there is none, then it's time. You know your fish...and you'll know when the time has come.

 

[Spishkey]

*wonders who pete is*?




edit: ah your betta!

 

[SharonCC]

Well, I didn't want to say "For God's Sake"....

 

[Truck]

are you planning on euthanising him? it will be sad to see him go

 

[Spishkey]

Well, I didn't want to say "For God's Sake"....