A Remarkable Recovery! (was: Plec in dire straits)

[vspen]

Remember Louie? 2 months ago I posted about my broken tank and Louie's injury of unknown origin. For those who are not familiar. The tank cracked, all fish were bucketed, a new tank was purchased, all fish but Louie died in the first 24 hours (because the tank was not cycled obviously). Within a day or two an entire band section of Louie's tail looked like a hickey, then the skin shed, then the armor shed, then the flesh was exposed and I feared s/he would die or require euthanesia. Louie had to struggle to survive through a long and arduous cycle in the brand new (larger) tank. Thanks to Deb's prompting for an update I have finally put together a photo montage that will astound you.

Without an obvious cause of injury it was assumed it must be a disease and I was being told that my plec's problem would likely require euthanasia. Having cared for this cat for 8 years I could not be the one to wield the hammer. My husband would have done it but he had to leave on a long business trip and so Louie was left to survive or pass away on his own. I had faith that Louie would hang in there and I decided to start treatment to give him the best shot and recovery but what resulted couldn't have impressed me more. This is one remarkably hardy fish!

I am very happy to say that my 8 year old Louie seems to be making a full recovery. I was inspired by Deb's story of recovery with her deeply lacerated plec (http://planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopi ... hlight=mac) and was happy to find that the Melafix treatment I had purchased on my own was the very same one that she used to bring her guy back around too. My cat spent less than 48 hours in a hospital tank. His colors showed severe stress immediately and I couldn't stand to see him in there so I put him back in the big tank and just treated the entire thing. Best decision, I think.

It has been just over 2 months since the (old) tank burst. Louie is now doing very well, s/he looks GREAT! The new (bigger) tank is perfect and has a few new inhabitants. There are kribs, a loach, a new baby plec, and 2 gouramis. Most people can't tell that Louie ever had an injury. In person the scarring is not as apparent and must be pointed out unless they know to look for it. We must sing the priases of Melafix bodily injury treatment. It smells good too, tea tree.

Attached is a photo chronology of my plec's injury and recovery. You will be delighted. Don't give up hope on your injured or sick plecs! They might surprise you!
Valorie

[Gozza]

I have to agree thant melefix is great stuff, nice antibacterial without being to hard on the fish. Thats an amazing recovery there, Louie is lucky to have such a caring owner.

[MatsP]

Gotta say that your picture sequence does indeed show how hardy these fishes are (and good care from you, of course).

--
Mats

[vspen]

Just taking a moment to post some more update photos of Louie's tail recovery. Louie is doing fine, eating well, swimming and hiding normally. Occasionally makes an appearance for photo opportunities. His tail looks extraordinarily thin in the damaged area but if you didn't know about his horrible injury you might never know it was ever there to see him now. He is happy. He smiles all the time. The kribs he shares a tank with are awfully mean though (to each other).

Pictures taken Aug 03, 2007. Nearly 6 months since initial damage occurred.

<BR>
[img:702:300]http://geocities.com/vspen/plecotailaug307b.jpg[/img]

[vspen]

My beloved Louie has passed on, naturally. He will be missed. Thank you to all who had offered support and advice during his recovery (which was amazing!)

He was over 8 years old and his life had been remarkable. I sure will miss seeing his handsome face looking back at me from the tank.
Valorie

[MatsP]

Sorry to hear that.

--
Mats

[Aura]

Oh how sad. It looks like Louie was one tough fish. Sorry for your loss.

[Deb]

Valorie, Louie was a great fish. It's sad that he's gone. I know you'll miss him. He was a real trooper!

Deborah