Gabriel's pineconed

Lonely Angel · October 28th, 2008

The past two days Gabriel has looked a little bloated, so I figured he might be getting constipated and I gave him peas. This morning he is severely bloated and the scales on his stomach have started to pinecone.

Is kanaplex the only medicine to treat dropsy? It isn't available locally, so if it's the only/best med for it I'll see if I can find it online with overnight shipping. Also, is it good to use epsom salts and how should I do this? I've heard some mixed opinions on the safety of this.

When I get the medicine, I'll move Gabriel into Toby's 5 gallon (quarentine tank is already occupied) Is it then safe to put Toby into Gabriel's divided tank or am I risking exposing him to Dropsy too? The other three bettas in that tank are showing no signs of illness.

Thanks to anyone who can help me, and please pray for my little boy.

MinxMermaid · October 28th, 2008

oh NO!!!! not my Gabriel!!!

oh, gosh, i hope you find something to make him better.

as far as i know, dropsy is a SYMPTOM of something else wrong, so i'm not sure what meds.

i don't put salt in my bettas. when there's something wrong other than fungus or ick, i just treat with vita chem, garlic and attisons betta spa.

I PRAY our ANGEL GABRIEL gets BETTER SOON!!!!

Allie · October 28th, 2008

Maracyn Two is suppose to help with dropsy. I'd try that.
I hate when they get like this, you NEVER know what's going to happen.
I hope he gets well for you.

Here's what these site says about Epsom salts
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Freshwate...k-betta-14.htm
http://groups.msn.com/TheBettaObsess...msaltbath.msnw

pinkfloydpuffer · October 28th, 2008

Oh no! I'm so sorry! Dropsy is awful to deal with.
I would keep him away from your other fish. Dropsy is his kidneys shutting down, so his body is filling with fluid, but it could have been caused by many different things.
I've never found any treatments that were effective. You can try, but from my experience by the time you see the pineconing the kidney damage is irreversable.
This is such a horrible thing to go through, I'm so sorry.

All prayers and good wishes your way.

When my Rodya got dropsy, by the time he was pineconed, he died within a day or two. Not to make you sad, but so you can prepare for the worst.
Again, I feel for you, and I'm so sorry. Best of luck.

pinkfloydpuffer · October 28th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allie

Maracyn Two is suppose to help with dropsy. I'd try that.
I hate when they get like this, you NEVER know what's going to happen.
I hope he gets well for you.

Here's what these site says about Epsom salts
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Freshwate...k-betta-14.htm
http://groups.msn.com/TheBettaObsess...msaltbath.msnw

I tried maracyn 2 with Rodya, and it didn't work. But of course, dropsy has many many causes, and so maybe it'll work in this case.

Allie · October 28th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloydpuffer

I tried maracyn 2 with Rodya, and it didn't work. But of course, dropsy has many many causes, and so maybe it'll work in this case.

I have had it work on some and not on others too. I think it may have helped Rubin from getting really sick. I gave it to him as soon as I noticed that the bloat was a daily thing.

pinkfloydpuffer · October 28th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allie

ed
I have had it work on some and not on others too. I think it may have help Rubin from getting really sick. I gave it to him as soon as I noticed that the bloat was a daily thing.

Good thing you did. The problem with dropsy is that by the time you figure out it's dropsy and not bloat, it's almost always too late.

Lonely Angel · October 28th, 2008

I've moved Gabriel into the 5 gallon and treated him with the first dose of Maracyn Two. I also added vitachem, garlic guard, atison's, and stress coat. I'll see how he's doing and if he needs the epsom salt bath tonight.

He's still very active, is that normal with Dropsy? Also, is Dropsy contagious? Should I be worried about the other bettas he shared a tank with?

pinkfloydpuffer · October 28th, 2008

Mine that had dropsy stopped being active days before they pineconed, so I think that's a good sign for your guy.
Dropsy itself is not contagious, but it is sometimes caused by an internal bacterial infection, which can be contagious. I'd separate just to be on the safe side.

Martinismommy · October 28th, 2008

That is a shame he is feeling bad.....Gabriel is one of my favorite Bettas on Fishlore....I hope he recovers real soon......

Lucy · October 28th, 2008

I'm so sorry to read about Gabriel. We're sending good betta vibes your way.

Alessa · October 28th, 2008

I hope he gets better

pamd · October 28th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martinismommy

Gabriel is one of my favorite Bettas on Fishlore....

He's one of my favorites, too. I'm so sorry he's ill. My thoughts are with you and Gabriel.

Phinny12 · October 29th, 2008

How is Gabriel Doing?

Lonely Angel · October 29th, 2008

There hasn't been change (in either direction) for Gabriel. He's still active but bloated and his breathing is heavy. he surprisingly doesn't seem to be in much pain, so I'm hoping I caught the Dropsy before it became too serious.

I just gave him an epsom salt bath and it didn't seem to bother him at all. He's even a bit more active after the bath than he was this morning. I mixed up 1 gallon of stress coat treated water with 1 teaspoon of epsom salt. It was the same temp as the tank water, so I floated him in a cup slowly adding the salt water over 5 minutes. Then I let him swim in the salt water for another 5 minutes before reversing the process to put him back in his tank. I gave him a few pea bites soaked in garlic guard while I acclimated him back into his tank and he had a great appetite. When I put him back into his tank I added his second dose of maracyn two and a little more vitachem and atison's betta spa.

pinkfloydpuffer · October 29th, 2008

It sounds like he is responding very well.

Best of luck to you

Lucy · October 29th, 2008

Good news so far, keep us posted!

pamd · October 30th, 2008

The great appetite is a hopeful sign. You're doing everything possible in a well-reasoned way.

My thoughts are still with you and Gabriel.

MinxMermaid · October 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonely Angel

There hasn't been change (in either direction) for Gabriel. He's still active but bloated and his breathing is heavy. he surprisingly doesn't seem to be in much pain, so I'm hoping I caught the Dropsy before it became too serious.

I just gave him an epsom salt bath and it didn't seem to bother him at all. He's even a bit more active after the bath than he was this morning. I mixed up 1 gallon of stress coat treated water with 1 teaspoon of epsom salt. It was the same temp as the tank water, so I floated him in a cup slowly adding the salt water over 5 minutes. Then I let him swim in the salt water for another 5 minutes before reversing the process to put him back in his tank. I gave him a few pea bites soaked in garlic guard while I acclimated him back into his tank and he had a great appetite. When I put him back into his tank I added his second dose of maracyn two and a little more vitachem and atison's betta spa.

awe you're such a good MOM!!

i really hope you're able to save our Gabriel!!! praying for you both!

COBettaCouple · October 30th, 2008

I wish you the best of luck getting him better.

Lucy · October 31st, 2008

How's Gabriel, did the epson salt baths help?

Allie · October 31st, 2008

How is he today?

Lonely Angel · November 1st, 2008

I think the epsom salt baths have helped him (he's always a little more active afterwards) but he still isn't doing well. Yesterday he'd stopped swimming around much, and by last night he was having trouble staying upright. I put him in a breeder net so he's close to the surface, but he's mostly laying on his side.

pinkfloydpuffer · November 1st, 2008

I'm so sorry

You're doing all you can for him, he's lucky to have such a great betta mommy.

Lonely Angel · November 1st, 2008

Gabriel's gone now.

He just passed away. He was doing really bad all day, and when I gave him his salt bath I had to hold him cupped in my hand because he couldn't hold homself upright. When he tried to swim his tail pulled him down and he would just drift to the bottom. I lowered the water level so he only had about an inch of water in his breeder's net, but he was still having trouble staying upright.

My poor baby, he was such a sweet boy. I miss him so bad already. I know Kita will miss him too, as they were little sweethearts always swimming together along the divider.

Goodbye my little angel.