Help PLEASE: Betta "Finny" has bulge on tummy..

[Bettafriend]

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Taking advice on reducing feeding/fasting to hopefully help him with swollen belly. Fed very little yesterdayb and won't feed today. Difficult as I feel he's been suffering, but want to do anything possible to help. Regarding multiple threads, I apologize, I've just struggled to properly navigate this site. Maybe there's a link with clear instructions on posting/adding/ replying? I've just been so stressed lately, by this, and numerous other issues, I haven't been doing as well as I would normally with such issues. Also: any knowledge as to how effective fasting is to resolving such bloating issues.? And if ten hikari pellets daily is too much, what is a better total amount for him?

 

[LyraGuppi]

If you hover over our profile at the top right of the screen, then look through the drop-down, there should be a button that says "Your Content". Click on that and you'll see what you've posted, or created. That should make it easier to find your older threads that aren't in the Recent Threads sidebar anymore. I'm not sure if there is a guide, but a mod might be able to help on that.
Fasting will not solve the tumor, but it is effective in helping bloating and overfeeding. As Nick said, try 3-5 pellets.
Hopefully things get better for both you and Finny.

edited for spelling error

 

[GobyMaster11276]

I made a thread a while ago about posting threads.

 

[Bettafriend]

If you hover over our profile at the top right of the screen, then look through the drop-down, there should be a button that says "Your Content". Click on that and you'll see what you've posted, or created. That should make it easier to find your older threads that aren't in the Recent Threads sidebar anymore. I'm not sure if there is a guide, but a mod might be able to help on that.
Fasting will not solve the tumor, but it is effective in helping bloating and overfeeding. As Nick said, try 3-5 pellets.
Hopefully things get better for both you and Finny.

edited for spelling error

Thank you for advice.
Wednesday only fed 2 pellets. Yesterday fasted. This morning it's hard to tell if it helped. "Maybe" 10% reduction in swelling of tummy? And I knew the previously existing tumor was a separate issue. Knowing fasting and reducing feeding wouldn't be expected to help that. But these tumors can be somewhat benign at times. And that is my hope with Finny of course. But now. With these negligible results from fasting, I ask for any further advice about the swelling in his belly.
Thank you..

 

[Bettafriend]

Thank you for advice.
Wednesday only fed 2 pellets. Yesterday fasted. This morning it's hard to tell if it helped. "Maybe" 10% reduction in swelling of tummy? And I knew the previously existing tumor was a separate issue. Knowing fasting and reducing feeding wouldn't be expected to help that. But these tumors can be somewhat benign at times. And that is my hope with Finny of course. But now. With these negligible results from fasting, I ask for any further advice about the swelling in his belly.
Thank you..

Additionally: Idk, maybe optimism, but rather than only 10% reduction, I suppose it "could' be a bit more. Maybe 20 or 25%. Just very hard to tell, as it certainly isn't gone.

 

[**sarahp**]

With these negligible results from fasting, I ask for any further advice

You've only fasted him for a day!?! He needs at 2 or 3 days,maybe longer - his system has been assaulted by your previous feeding regime, you need to give him time to recover. One day is not long enough.

 

[Bettafriend]

You've only fasted him for a day!?! He needs at 2 or 3 days,maybe longer - his system has been assaulted by your previous feeding regime, you need to give him time to recover. One day is not long enough.

First to report on Finny.. No.. The one day reduction in feeding, followed by a day of fasting may not have helped. Second, I've tried to do my best, provide a large tank and healthy water, food, and love for my pet. My feeding "regimen" that Nick said in a way that implied neglect, if not abuse, kept Finny happy, fit, and maintain normal body size for over 14 months. I simply followed hikari's feeding instructions. He didn't develop this swelling in his tummy until a month after tumor appeared. I love my pet and have gone to heroic lengths to help him.. Even had exotic animal vet home visit at one point. So much more than many "truly" neglectful betta owners do. Taken criticism from some family and friends for being so obsessive in my care and concern. Countless hours on this and other forums. Google searches. Calls to vets. Calls to LFS's. All this while concurrently dealing with serious personal health and financial issues and stresses. Thank goodness for the many very kind and encouraging replies and posts I've recieved here, as well as help from other sources.
But when I ask for help, please, as in latest advice, please try not to follow tact taken by "nick" chastising me. Telling me I'm "killing" him in such a harsh way.. Did I somehow offend you nick? Maybe you're right. Maybe not. Maybe the "tumor" is killing the poor guy. Anyway, I'm doing my best for him to listen. I only ask you choose your word more thoughtfully as this has been very difficult already, I'm only here asking for help for a sick animal, and few could honestly argue that I'm some clueless kid who won a condemded animal at a carnival and stuck in a bowl with straight tap water. I've, in better days, maintained, for years; large, beautiful, saltwater display tanks in past living rooms. But these aren't such good days. And I've sought help. And unfamiliar territory with this tumor as well. As for most recent advice including language "assaulted?" I just don't get it.. Maybe this was encouraged by "nicks" scolding.. Anyway. I still need help. Many kind people have taken time to help me here. I hope to continue recieving such help. For Finny. And hope, in better days, "I" can help others too. I believe the spirit of these sites. As for criticism. I think it's not the place.

 

[LyraGuppi]

...kept Finny happy, fit, and maintain normal body size for over 14 months. I simply followed hikari's feeding instructions. He didn't develop this swelling in his tummy until a month after tumor appeared...

Alright, if it's not going down with fasting, and taking in mind what you said up there, overfeeding doesn't sound like the problem. I'm wondering if maybe there's a larger tumor/growth on his internal organs?
Honestly, if a vet couldn't find anything or give you a treatment, I'm not sure what to do. The best thing I can think of is just try to keep him comfortable.
Thank you for caring and going such lengths for him.

 

[GobyMaster11276]

When you said that you had a vet come in, you mean the one mentioned earlier (like, in the past)? Also, could you please link the posts to your other forum posts? Sharing information gathered from vets, LFS's and other places you might not have mentioned will be beneficial. Also, photos of Finny now. Maybe a video of feeding him (so we can see behaviour).

 

[NickAu]

Did I somehow offend you nick? Maybe you're right. Maybe not. Maybe the "tumor" is killing the poor guy. Anyway, I'm doing my best for him to listen. I only ask you choose your word more thoughtfully as this has been very difficult already, I'm only here asking for help for a sick animal,

Not at all, I was just answering your question.

Here you say

Also regarding not feeding.. Any advise to help me overcome feelings of extreme guilt?

To help you overcome your guilt, I said

You want advice on not feeding him?

Ok I will be brutally honest.

You are killing him by feeding him so much, His belly is swollen from overfeeding he will get SBD and die if you don't change your habits. At most that fish should have 4 maybe 5 pellets a day NOT 15,

I being brutally honest and telling you to not feed your fish as much as you are and to fast him for 3 or 4 days to save his life, should help you overcome your guilt.


You have been given some great advice, Lots of clean warm water, do not over feed and so on the rest is up to you, I know how big Hikari pellets are and 10 to 15 a day is way too much, I do not care what Hikari says about how much to feed, 2 pelets in the morning and 2 at night is more than enough, Remember Hikari don't care about your fish they only want to sell fish food.

I am not trying to offend you or scold you, you are a adult and I spoke to you as such, why sugar coat things?

 

[Bettafriend]

I said you may be right. I have greatly reduced feeding as advised, though his swelling has continued to worsen, "and" color has faded some too.. Still eats, but struggling more to maneuver. Even missing food alot when striking for it at surface often as if vision could be growing poor.. Very worried. Willing to try longer fast. 3 days or so as you suggested. Has anyone seen such bloating resolve in these cases? And is there anything else to do that might help clear bloating?

 

[Bettafriend]

Alright, if it's not going down with fasting, and taking in mind what you said up there, overfeeding doesn't sound like the problem. I'm wondering if maybe there's a larger tumor/growth on his internal organs?
Honestly, if a vet couldn't find anything or give you a treatment, I'm not sure what to do. The best thing I can think of is just try to keep him comfortable.
Thank you for caring and going such lengths for him.

Thank you again.. Idk where to turn. You're probably right at this point to just keep him comfortable. I have been trying. And also know I have always appreciated your advice and thoughtfulness. I just felt other members had been harsh.. Maybe Im just reacting to stress.. Regardless.. I can't help but wonder. I have been told bettas can live with tumor. And hope swelling in tummy could possibly be seperate issue related to constipation? "Did" greatly reduce feeding and fasted for one day. Though others say maybe he needs two or three days? Could it possibly help? Does such bloating often clear with just longer fasting alone? Anything "alse/additional" that might help if it "is" constipation? Normal feeding worked fine "before," but with decreased activity? Maybe he "did" need less food last few months. Attaching yesterday pics. Some new color fading too (

 

[DutchMuch]

at this point I'd just put him down. He is bound to die no offence at this point if it hasn't cured already;
Nickau is a long time friend of mine and is the Betta Specialist at every forum he is on, you should take him more than any other person seriously. Not saying others info isn't good but im saying his is the best, I have to doubt that you did as he said. Because that's the basic cure for bloating.

why sugar coat things?

same for me, people yell at me for being mean and im just being straight honest, people don't wanna hear the truth apparently.

 

[LyraGuppi]

I have heard of bettas living their lives with chronic illnesses like tumors, but the ethics of it, quality of life and such, I'm not sure of. I think it comes down to the owner's decision on whether or not to euthanize, as they are the ones seeing the fish all the time, knowing how different the fish is acting, etc.
Usually fasting goes on for a longer time, 2 or 3 days like you said. If the problem is food based, it could help. Sometimes bloating does need an extra push to fix. if it's constipation, you could try feeding him blanched peas soaked in garlic (he may not eat it though, even with the garlic) or daphnia, which I've heard is a good laxative for pickier eaters.

 

[Bettafriend]

I have heard of bettas living their lives with chronic illnesses like tumors, but the ethics of it, quality of life and such, I'm not sure of. I think it comes down to the owner's decision on whether or not to euthanize, as they are the ones seeing the fish all the time, knowing how different the fish is acting, etc.
Usually fasting goes on for a longer time, 2 or 3 days like you said. If the problem is food based, it could help. Sometimes bloating does need an extra push to fix. if it's constipation, you could try feeding him blanched peas soaked in garlic (he may not eat it though, even with the garlic) or daphnia, which I've heard is a good laxative for pickier eaters.

Trying to obtain the other foods. May take day or two. Got epsom salt for swelling reduction, per advice from "wetwebmedia" crew who has been additional source of advice, but can someone verify this product "Walmart" will be ok? No perfume or essential oils, but the way chemicals appear seperate? Please confirm if possible. Waiting to administer. See pics
Thank you