Most home aquarium and pond emergencies are not truly medical in nature. They generally involve something going wrong with the aquatic environment such as a leak or an electrical problem with a heater or pump. In many cases, fast action can resolve the emergency. Make sure that all electrical items are grounded or have a circuit-breaking function along the power line. The possibility of leaks and spills, and their consequences, can also be lessened through planning a
Preventing disease is always preferable to treating it. In most cases, a comprehensive fish health management program should focus on water quality, nutrition, sanitation (maintenance and cleaning), and quarantine. Work with a knowledgeable fish veterinarian or fish keeper to establish a management program for the particular species of fish you have.
Signs of Illness
Fish show si
Once you have chosen the type of fish you want to keep, you need to learn how to set up and maintain the best possible environment to keep them healthy. Important considerations include water quality, diet, cleaning, and prevention and treatment of disease.
Providing a Home for Indoor Fish
The best thing to do when considering a home aquarium is to learn as much as possible about the various types of aquariums and species of fish. Your veterinarian, books, hobby magazines, the Internet, and your local pet store can all be good sources of information. A reputable pet store can be a great resource because experienced employees are often knowledgeable not only about setting up and maintaining home aquariums but also about local conditions (such as the cha
A home aquarium must function as an ecosystem with specific conditions that are maintained at a constant level. Proper maintenance requires water quality monitoring, water changes, filtration, removal of waste materials, and aeration. The appropriate environmental conditions must be maintained regardless of the size of the aquatic environment, from a pond containing hundreds of gallons of water to the smallest goldfish bowl.
You will
Unlike mammals, fish are cold-blooded (ectothermic). This means that they do not maintain a constant internal body temperature; instead, their temperature is greatly influenced by their environment. True fish have a backbone and fins. Most also breathe with gills and have scales that cover their bodies. It is currently believed that fish began to evolve about 480 million years ago. There are about 32,000 known species of fish.
A fish’s
Aquariums bring the beauty and wonder of the underwater world into your home. Although the average fish owner may not typically think of veterinary care for fish, aquatic medicine is becoming more mainstream, especially with the growth in popularity of the Japanese koi and Chinese fancy goldfish show industries. These show-quality fish can cost thousands of dollars, and veterinary care is common. Although a relatively small number of veterinarians throug
Noninfectious diseases of ferrets include those that are not caused by viruses, bacteria, or other infectious agents. Some of the more commonly seen noninfectious diseases include gastric foreign bodies, dilated cardiomyopathy, and kidney disease.
Foreign Objects in the Stomach
Because of their inquisitive nature, ferrets often swallow foreign objects that can become lodged in the stomach or
Two hormonal (endocrine) disorders, insulinomas and hyperadrenocorticism, are common in ferrets.
Insulinomas
An insulinoma is a tumor of the pancreas. These tumors are very common in ferrets older than 3 years of age. Insulinomas produce more insulin than the body needs. The elevated insulin levels result in low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—a condition that is the opposite of diabetes
Unfortunately, ferrets are very prone to a variety of cancers. In fact, most pet ferrets will have some sort of tumor or cancer during their lifetime.
Mast Cell Tumor
Cutaneous mast cell tumors are probably the most common skin tumors in ferrets, often seen in animals over 3 years of age. These tumors can appear anywhere on the body but typically affect the trunk and neck. The tumor appears a