Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical examination of fish in private collections.
- Journal:
- The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice
- Year:
- 1999
- Authors:
- Francis-Floyd, R
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
In recent years, fish medicine has improved a lot, making it easier to take care of pet fish. Unlike mammals, fish can't control their body temperature, which affects their immune system, and they breathe through gills. When examining a fish, it's important to gather details about their living conditions, tank mates, and any past health issues. Depending on the fish's size and health, they can be gently held or put under anesthesia for treatment. To keep fish healthy, it's crucial to focus on water quality, proper nutrition, cleanliness, and quarantining new fish before introducing them to the tank.
Abstract
The rapid advancement of fish medicine over the past 10 years has led to a drastically improved ability to manage the individual pet fish successfully. Principle physiologic differences between fish and higher vertebrates include the lack of ability to regulate body temperature (this has a profound effect on the immune system), the use of gills for respiration, and the importance of osmoregulation in the aquatic environment. Components of the clinical history for a fish patient should include information on the environment, tank mates, recent medical history, and specific information on the affected individual. Fish can be manually restrained or safely anesthetized with methane tricaine sulfonate, depending on their size, condition, and circumstances. Diagnostic techniques useful for fish patients include gill, skin, and fin biopsy; hematology; cytology; radiology; and ultrasound. Preventive medicine programs should include water quality, nutritional management, sanitation, and quarantine.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11228731/