Molly Help Emergency

[WILDER]

METRONIDAZOLE
Class: Antibiotic.
Indications: Anaerobic infections, malodour caused by anaerobic infection, pseudomembranous
colitis (see Clostridium difficile enteritis).

Pharmacology
Metronidazole is highly active against anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Although it has no activity against aerobic organisms in vitro, in mixed infections in vivo both aerobes and anaerobes appear susceptible. Unlike most other antibiotics, resistance to metronidazole among anaerobes is uncommon. Metronidazole can be applied topically to malodourous fungating cancers and decubitus ulcers but is more expensive by this route.1,2 The malodour is due to volatile fatty acids produced by anaerobic bacteria. Tinidazole is similar to metronidazole with a longer duration of action; it causes less gastro-intestinal disturbance but costs more.3

 

[Jephex]

honestly, the poor thing looks terrible...he looks like he has some sort of white slime covering portions of his body, his tail fin is started to be affected by finrot, his feces have become white and stringy, and im afraid i may have to put him down...any suggestions for fish euthenization?

 

[xxSarahxx]

Is there a chance you can isolate him from all the other fish? Turn off the lights to help to de-stress him and take a deep breath yourself....I know this is horrible but the calmer you are the more you will think straight.
Any changes in his behaviour recently that you have noticed? If you think he is suffering greatly thena plunge into boiling water is often the more kindest way of euthenization but it may not have got to that stage yet. Fish are fighters and if we can stop him from passing this on to any of the others then maybe we can treat him.
This white slime....is it white or grey...I know this is horrible but an up-to-date picture with a close up of the slime might be helpful.

 

[Jephex]

unfortunately i dont have an operational camera on hand, but i can say that the slime is like a white film covering his body completely under his dorsal fin, his tail fins are clamped as are most of his other fins.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I'm sorry our fish has taken a turn for the worse. From what you are saying now, it definately sounds like the parasite over columnaris. In addition, a secondary infection has also set in.

Two of the most accepted methods are to either destroy the brain by decapitation or crushing its head, or with clove oil. To use clove oil, put a few drops in a sealable container and shake it really well. Then put the fish in. When he goes to sleep (clove oil is an anesthetic), you can either freeze him or add a few more drops of clove oil that have been premixed with water to make sure the job is finished.

A few posts down talks about freezing or not when using clove oil. Please don't just freeze your fish, as it is a very slow, painful death.

 

[Jephex]

dont have clove oil, dont know if i have the heart to decapitate or crush him...any other suggestions, or must i destroy his brain?

 

[xxSarahxx]

I have to agree with tttnjfttt - it might be time to give up on this one. It might be slime disease???
I am not the sutor of the below informatin:

Slime Disease [Protozan Parasitic Disease]
DISORDER THINGS TO LOOK FOR TREATMENT
Slime Diseases
Chilodonella

Costia (Ichtybodo)

Cyclochaeta (Trichodina)
Dulling of color due to mucus
Fraying of the fins
Weakness
Gill Damage
Death
If notice before it has spred treat tank with a proprietary remedy.
If it does not work give affected fishes short- term formalin bath.

If gills are effected give fish a short-term salt bath then a short -term formalin bath.

I think he might be too far gone for any help though.
I am truly sorry.

 

[Jephex]

any more suggestions for euthenization?

 

[tttnjfttt]

dont have clove oil, dont know if i have the heart to decapitate or crush him...any other suggestions, or must i destroy his brain?

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Honestly, it is best to either destroy their brain, which is very fast and minimal pain to the fish but very hard on the owner. Clove oil is avaliable at many health stores as well as many aroma therapy type stores. This basically puts him to sleep. I've heard liquid oragel (spelling is wrong, liquid tooth ache meds) will also work, but might be a little harder on the fish.

Of all the methods I've heard of and used, these two seem to be the best for the fish, fast, and painless.

 

[Jephex]

what do you think about a garbage disposal...very quick spinning blades very quick and painless or might that be bad, it seems kind of sick, but my friend suggested it, just need your opinion.

 

[tttnjfttt]

How big is this molly?

 

[Jephex]

about 1.5 inches, 2 inches

 

[tttnjfttt]

It might work. I'm going to be heading out right now, so if the 1.5 inches includes its tail, then I would say its your call, as long as you think the brain will be destroyed quickly.

Another option is to get your friend/neighbor/roommate/family to do the decapitation for you.

 

[Jephex]

im looking at him, i decided to put him asleep, tried to fish him out, and he is really fighting to not get caught...honestly, im going to let him relax for a few days, he might have been pretty stressed. I cleaned out my tank, which used to be heavily planted, not too many organisms in there so he should have some breathing room...i dont know if all lyretails have a full membrane running across their tail fins connecting each part, so he might not even have finrot, im not going to jump to conclusions...ill see what happens in a few days, and if he dont so any signs of improvement, i will euthenize him in clove oil as a better option. thank you everyone for your help.

 

[tttnjfttt]

What treatments have you decided to use on him?

I'm glad you decided to go for the clove oil