Can a list be put together for suitable medications for common problems

[pleconut]

Having difficulties with this one on several occasions now. So is it possible please for a list to be produced by people with good knowledge a list of suitable meds for common problems. For people to refer to when needing quick guidance. With catfish in general its not so easy to know what's safe and what isn't. There is so much inabiguiaty that surrounds this subject such as questions like: Is salt safe for plecos? Catfish are scaleless fish can't be treated with ...
Is it possible for an article to be produced so this can be addressed. Obviously husbandry needs to be considered also.

[bekateen]

This seems like a really good idea. The problem might be that the solution is much more complex than it might appear. But if it could be done, it would be wonderful.

Cheers, Eric

[Dave Rinaldo]

This seems like a really good idea. The problem might be that the solution is much more complex than it might appear. But if it could be done, it would be wonderful.

Cheers, Eric

Drugs that are available in one country aren't in others.

[bekateen]

Yes, that's just one complication. But even simple treatments like salt... May not be straight forward either.

Teresa's point, I thought, was that there is so much debate and discussion in the forums of what does work or is safe (or doesn't / isn't) that the info is both fractured and overwhelming. A summary article or two would be very helpful.

Cheers, Eric

[pleconut]

I'm aware that this would take some careful consideration to put together. Even a list of meds or treatment that are unsafe. It would clear up all the confusion
The nature of forums makes it very difficult to get a conclusive answer, when a situation arises, an article on the subject with a link at the top of forums sticky for example, would mean that someone can access info immediately.

[bekateen]

I have a thought about this. I'm in the midst of an ongoing fungus- and ich-outbreak in the quarantine for some Chaetostoma; eight out of nine dead so far. Throughout this, I've gotten lots of good advice on medication (even if it didn't end up saving lives). Here's my idea:

Can we place a sticky post at the top of the Speak Easy forum where members can vote Yeah or Nay (thumbs up or thumbs down, whatever) for a selection of the drugs /treatments to "have on hand" in case of emergency? (Like the "Where are you from?" survey)

There have been threads on this before (e.g., what are some good medications so have on hand?), but no mechanism for summarizing people's opinions regarding specific products or classes of products.

Just a thought.

Cheers, Eric

[pleconut]

Really sorry to hear about this Eric. Know where you're at as you know i had a similar experience. Completely gutting when this happens. Sure would be helpful to have some kind of list. Have a pleco in QT at the moment not doing very well. Just as well he's in QT.

[Viktor Jarikov]

The stickies in this forum are great imho and I often use them. It is not PCF though. But to replicate these or create something similar in one sitting, quickly, would take a tremendous time and effort. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... issues.35/

[bekateen]

... to replicate these or create something similar in one sitting, quickly, would take a tremendous time and effort. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... issues.35/

Agreed. I suppose the intent of the request is to focus on medications and regimens that are "safe" for catfishes in specific, vs. for fish in general.

None the less, I can't agree with you more on the magnitude of the undertaking. But that just contributes to the frustration of keepers trying to navigate the waters (pun intended) of medicating sick catfish.

What would be most appropriate is a medical guide written by a veterinarian or extremely experienced hobbyist familiar with the issues. Those books do get made from time to time, but the devil is in the updating, right?

Thanks for the link, Victor.

Cheers, Eric

[TwoTankAmin]

The closest thing I have seen to a manual on fish diseases does not quite answer what is being discussed in this thread, but it has some interesting and relevant information. It is the Merck Veterinary Manual to which I sometimes refer myself.

Start here http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/exoti ... ishes.html

The other things I have come across are specific studies or reviews of the current disease specific medicines as of the publication dates. I have posted links to Ich information for example (http://dspace.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893 ... review.pdf). But it is more treatment specific than fish specific. One thing I have noted which seems to matter in some cases is that certain meds are more or less effective depending upon water parameters (for meds dosed that way). Moreover, some meds are more effective when fed, which is of little help when a fish is not eating. How many of us know how to force feed a fish or are able to deliver meds via injection?

But the greatest issue here may not be which meds are the ones to use in treatment but instead it is being able to make an accurate diagnosis. Unless one has some tools (a microscope especially), it may be impossible to diagnose which specific parasite is inside a fish or what specific bacteria is causing the problem so the proper antibiotic can be selected. Often the outward symptoms we can see do not pinpoint the exact problem. Consider wasting in fish.This may be a parasitic problem, a mycobacterial issue or some other bacteria. How can we know? An inability to diagnose accurately can lead to trying the wrong med with unknown consequences. Most treatments are stressful to fish. This is not a problem when the choice is to medicate or else the fish will not survive. But, treating for the wrong thing or using the wrong med may do more harm than good.

While I think the idea of having something we could use specifically for catfish sound great, I am not so sure such a reference would be possible to create. it doesn't matter how correct the association between a disease and a med are when step one requires a very accurate disease identification.

Just this keepers thoughts here, as always.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Great input guys, imho.

Force-feeding is done like this - I tried, it is doable, very inexpensive, better with four hands than two in my small experience: http://www.mchportal.com/fishkeeping-ma ... -fish.html

Somewhat related case: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... ilit=force

[bekateen]

Thanks guys for the links.

[pleconut]

Thanks TTA and Viktor. Of course one thing to consider and is an implicating factor is of course params inappropriate environment ect. Out of kilter params etc are very often the major causes of many fish health problems and the purpose of the sticky topics. At least when someone posts re a problem if params ect are a cause or factor involved it can be highlighted that its an issue needing addressed. I suppose with a list this could be overlooked therefore having a sticking plaster on a gaping wound effect. Obviously this is something that woukd need covering in a fair ammount of detail if such lists were to be composed.

[TwoTankAmin]

This section of the Merck manual deals with water parameters and environment issues http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/exoti ... stems.html

[pleconut]

Thanks.