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Devoted pet owner spends £300 to save his GOLDFISH after it became constipated

  

Category:  Other

Via:  nona62  •  9 years ago  •  19 comments

Devoted pet owner spends £300 to save his GOLDFISH after it became constipated

Devoted pet owner spends 300 to save his GOLDFISH after it became constipated


A devoted pet owner has spent 300 on saving the life of his goldfish after it became constipated.

The man, who has not been named, took the fish to a veterinary practice in North Walsham, Norfolk, after noticing it was struggling to eliminate waste.

He had hoped it would be a simple procedure but was told by staff at the Toll Barn Veterinary Centre that the delicate surgery required to save his pet would cost 300.

The company boss initially turned down the treatment but changed his mind 10 minutes later and went back to give the go-ahead.

Vet Faye Bethell, 29, was then tasked with carefully administering anaesthetic before using tiny instruments to remove a lump close to the fish's backside.

A second lump was removed from his dorsal fin before the fish was returned to water and handed back to his grateful owner.

Ms Bethell said the three-inch fish made a full recovery after the 50-minute operation and said it would have died if it was left untreated.

She said: 'I have never done a procedure like that on a goldfish, although I have done it before on more valuable fish like a carp.

'The actual surgery is quite straightforward but administering the anaesthetic is quite complicated.

'The issue was the fish couldn't poo and it would have eventually become toxic and it would have died.

'There was nothing special about the fish. He just liked it a lot. People love their pets - but that was an expensive little goldfish.'

The delicate procedure involved introducing a carefully-measured anaesthetising agent into the fish's water.

It was then removed from its tank and placed on a waterproof drape before anaesthetic water was put into its mouth via a tube and bubbled over its gills.

Ms Bethell then used a miniature heart-rate monitor to check that the fish was properly 'under' before using a mini scalpel to remove the lumps.

She then sewed each cut with three stitches before using a special 'glue' to cover and waterproof the fish's scales before it was gradually re-awakened.

Goldfish can live up to 10 years and this ailing pet was two years and 10 months old at the time of its operation.

The Toll Barn practice opened a year ago and specialises in exotic animals as well as the more usual pets.

Ms Bethell revealed that in the past year she has carried out a string of bizarre operations including the removal of a 12g skin tumour from a two-inch long hognose snake.

She has also successfully taken out a stone from the 5mm-wide ureter of a guinea pig and last week castrated a skunk.

It is not the first time a goldfish has undergone a traumatic operation to save its life.

Earlier this year, Melbourne veterinarian Dr. Tristan Rich - head of exotics and wildlife medicine at Lort Smith Animal Hospital - performed micro-surgery on a goldfish called George.

The 10-year-old pet had a large tumour on his head, making it difficult for him to breathe and swim. He was also unable to eat properly, and the tumour was affecting his ability to see.

His owners had been monitoring the growth of the tumour which was sprouting from his head, and decided to opt for the surgery which cost $200 (105).

During the 'fiddly' operation, the tumour - which had stretched down to the fish's skull - was delicately cut out.




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Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

I have never heard of a goldfish having surgery...

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
link   Kavika     9 years ago

Good for him. Fish are people too.

A vet that I know in CA. has done surgery on Koi.

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

I hope Badfish reads this!!! Smile.gif Smile.gif

 
 
 
1stwarrior
Professor Participates
link   1stwarrior    9 years ago

How in the hell can you tell if a fish is constipated?????

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

Maybe he didn't have to clean the bowl for a long time??? Your guess is as good as mine...

 
 
 
LynneA
Freshman Silent
link   LynneA    9 years ago

Evidently we didn't pay close enough attention to our kids goldfish, wouldn't have thought to take any to a vet. They were belly up and replaced before they got home from school!

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

replaced before they got home from school! Good thinking!!! My daughters never wanted goldfish...

 
 
 
Petey Coober
Freshman Silent
link   Petey Coober    9 years ago

How can you tell if a goldfish is grateful for your help ?

 
 
 
Nigel Dogberry
Freshman Silent
link   Nigel Dogberry    9 years ago

When I was at the vet this last time, the vet was giving a cat an enema. You should have heard the commotion in the back room. Murrrooouuuhh murrouuuuuhh. When the vet was finished she came in our exam room giggling. I wonder if she giggled in front of the cat owner? I just had a thought --- what do you do with a cat after you have filled it's intestines up with water? Maybe throw it in the bathtub.

 
 
 
Kavika
Professor Principal
link   Kavika     9 years ago

They give you a kiss of course...Smile.gif

Kissing-Fish--75204.jpg

 
 
 
Petey Coober
Freshman Silent
link   Petey Coober    9 years ago

Cute !

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

lol

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

Was the Vet bleeding profusely??

 
 
 
Nigel Dogberry
Freshman Silent
link   Nigel Dogberry    9 years ago

Nah, I think she had one of her 'tech' folks do it.

 
 
 
Nona62
Professor Silent
link   seeder  Nona62    9 years ago

Smart woman!!

 
 

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