But, as we covered with our top 10 mistake: #3 – relying too much on internet information, not all free online sources of help should be treated equally. Just because somebody wrote it on the internet, does NOT make it true. Getting help for your pet fish does not have to be a complicated process.
Cause and effect can be misinterpreted and hobbyists are known for corroborating evidence that is not connected. Here is a common example:
Owner A buys medication from store B, which claims it can cure their fish of disease C. The medication, be it anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial or anti-fungal, requires multiple doses with multiple water changes in between. Owner A uses medication as prescribed and the fish gets better. Since 90% of our clinical cases are secondary to poor water quality, it is more likely the increased water changes cured the fish, NOT THE “MEDICATION.”
But, you see this on the internet and think it must work for your fish with the same issue. But your water might be different with a different species of fish and a different pathogen (bacterial, parasite, fungus). All that you can see is how your fish is behaving, which sounds similar to Owner A.
Too many owners reach straight for the treatment without a diagnosis. You just want to make your fish healthy – NOW. Your water looks fine, so it can’t be the water. And this is where many fish owners fall out of the hobby. They try X number of medications, read all they can on the internet, but without a diagnosis, the fish will eventually perish.
What about calling your aquatic veterinarian for help for your pet fish?
We understand it is a foreign concept for many. One of our colleagues starts many of his professional talks by asking the following question:
If you walk up to 100 random people on the street and ask them, “my fish is sick. What do I do?” What are the top 3 responses?
A. David Scarfe PhD, DVM, MRSSAf, CertAqV
- Dr. Google
- The pet store
- Flush it
No where in that list is “call your veterinarian.” Well, it’s time to not only add it to the list, but make it the ONLY response. If you need help with your fish, CALL AN AQUATIC VETERINARIAN. (Click link for a vet near you.) If you have a veterinarian for your cat/dog/horse/etc, see if they are interested in helping. They can directly consult with an out-of-state aquatic veterinarian to help your fish. Have them call us!
If you are in California or Nevada, CALL US and we will help you! If you want to pay for our veterinarian’s license in a state we do not cover, CALL US. If you are not in your state and need help, CALL US. We can offer telehealth guidance sessions or connect you with a veterinarian in your area. We cannot guarantee we’ll be able to give you more than basic husbandry help, but WE WILL HELP YOU AS BEST WE CAN.
