bacterial infections and Saprolegnia

[csx4236]

i am currently treating a motoro and is not getting any better infection continues to spread. i have made some poor decisions lately had a 5" motoro that developed fungal infection do to a another stingray competing for food that created injuries to the ray. so i decided to move some rays around to try to save this ray. in the process it was too late for the 5" ray and the other ray got caught in the net and i mean caught in the net. i feel horrible i knew this ray was going to get stuck i bundled the net up so it would not have any depth but still not sufficient. now the ray is suffering from Saprolegnia or just a bad bacterial infection. the infection is spreading to the base of it's tail. i have tried Metrnidazole, salt,Nitrfurazone, and Melafix in conjunction with Primafix. nothing is working. ray is still eating well but infection is spreading. i have not heard of anyone using injectable antibiotics. i think if i had access to them there would be a better survival rate for this fish or any others that i may have to treat. i think about the cost of some of these rays and i sure would hate to loose some of them yet alone i have really hated losing the rays that i have lost. i promise i will never use a regular fish net to net out a ray again.

so what do you use to medicate your rays?

thanks
john

The best injectable antibiotic to use is beytril, you would have to contact a vet in your area to get some. I have used it on a few rays on there death beds with very good results.

 

[john C]

thanks for your help temp is generally 85
Mike the Barron's book talks about beytril however i really cant see my vet writing a script. I'm sure you probably could access this easier than i could but i am going to look into it for the future. meanwhile did a water change and have not noticed infection spreading. happy turkey day

john

 

[csx4236]

thanks for your help temp is generally 85
Mike the Barron's book talks about beytril however i really cant see my vet writing a script. I'm sure you probably could access this easier than i could but i am going to look into it for the future. meanwhile did a water change and have not noticed infection spreading. happy turkey day

john

He wouldnt write you a prescription just ask 3 doses worth and he could fill the needles for you, Thats what i do. What is your salt level at? Get it to 3.0 get a freshwater pond salt level test kit to check the level.

 

[jubsy]

Have you tried anti-bacterial cream? Apply cream on the wound is a very effective way to get rid of those stubborn bacteria. It's a bit stressful and dangerous to do, though. Try to have someone net the ray up and dry the wound with clean cloth then apply cream directly on the wound. Cream will stick to the wound and kill bacteria.I used chloram cream with great success with many kind of fish.
Good luck

 

[john C]

lowering temp to 80-82

i will work on beytril Mike i use kosher salt at 1 TSB per gal i need to find a salt level test kit.

Mike do you use something to calm ray down to inject fish?

Dave are you ray less?

thanks
john

 

[csx4236]

No i dont use anything to calm the ray down I would just soak a towel and place it over the ray to keep it calm and steady, You could also remove the ray and apply some iodine to the wound to disinfect the cut. Just make sure you dont get any on the gills or it will kill the ray.