Beth1965

Shih-Tzu Mom:
I firmly believe that only you know the answer to this question.
Beth

shih-tzu mom

Thanks Beth and i believe i do too-thank-you-bella

ER9

if it is indeed dropsy...one of the symptoms is that after initial infection it goes through a stage where it seems to clear up or regress....fish gets appetite back, looks better etc....if he's gone through that point, and is now getting worse again and looses his appetite and stops eating entirely....i would say its to far advanced for meds to cure and that its time to euthenize him.

shih-tzu mom

ER9- I really don't think it is dropsey as he is not pineconed and he is swollen only on 1-side of his belly and swim's on his side-bella

Lucy

Hi Bella. I just caught up on the thread.
You've done so much for Peek and have been a good mommy to him. The best he could ask for.
I think it might be time to make the ultimate decision
The others have given some good advice but of course we are not there and you know Peek the best.
You know I am thinking of you both.

pepetj

I know this is a hard decision. As anyone that has read your posts (not just the heartbraking Dropsy thread) I am sure that you have provided the best of care, and then some, to Peek-A-Boo.

I had, unfortunately, gone through the experience of "helping-in-their-way-out" my share of beloved fish in terminal conditions. It's a call that I have made "against my heart" and plenty of tears do go out, it's painful but the humane thing to do and I aggree that no one but you should know when it is the time that fighting makes no sense and ending the suffering of Peek-A-Boo does. I'm with you, bella.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Out of topic PS: My daughter named her juvenile female betta "Bella".

shih-tzu mom

That's the whole point Lucy-he is not showing me any signs of suffering-if he was i would be the first to PTS-bella

shih-tzu mom

Pepe; thank you and i really feel that he is not suffering as of yet at least he not showing me any signs of suffering-still his same little self and doing all he's always done-as much as he can under the circumstances-bella

mare2009

hello Bella.I have been following your thread about Peeks condition since you began it. I had'nt the knowledge to offer any more to the well advice and prayers from others here.
I would like to know, if you may, what are the symptoms of Peeks suffering your looking for? And how do you recognize it? You have asked for prayers of direction, and how do you know if these last posts aren't answers to your prayers?
bless you Bella...mare

Amanda

I have to agree with Mare.

Shawnie

Hi bella...IMO peek is suffering...ive followed your thread also and this has been going on and off since april ...you and others, have tried everything possible to help this poor guy...its hard for us not to see the pics and make a judgement call...which is what we do as humans...you are his mom. and a great one at that, but his life and quality of it, isnt that of a fish who acts/looks like he is enjoying life... ....the sores he is getting have to hurt...the salt on these sores also have to hurt.)of course thats a human guess )..although I know its whats needed in your mind to help him, its a decision as others said, ONLY you can make...IMO , making hard decisions about rehoming, euthinizing, or giving away fish, when we know we have done all we can, is also a big part of being a compasionate/responsible fish mom...I think the little signs of what you are calling his "normalcy" , are his signs to you that its time for him to be relieved of pain...your last sentence above describes it best "as much as he can under the circumstances-bella" goodluck my friend in whatever you decide ...

The Uke

I've read this thread since it began and I've often thought is Bella keeping Peek going for Peek's good or Bella's good? Peek's quality of life is just not good, can't stay submerged, floating on side, in a sling, held in hand to be fed, all these things have happened in his current condition. Cannot be good quality of life. I believe tomorrow will be 12 weeks he has been struggling, and if he was my fish he would have been a pleasant memory for at least 8 weeks already
Many advocate practices for the good of the fish, putting a fish down may at times be the ultimate practice of for the good of the fish

shih-tzu mom

Thank-You all for your posts and Mare; what am i looking for? 'A sick Fish' and he don't look sick other then his swelling when like this.-bella

mare2009

hi Bella..the pictures of peek are pictures of a sick fish. And 'his swelling when he is like this' is 11 weeks if not more. His sore in his scale are not on healthy fish, is not caused by air, he has had too much epson salt baths, he is eating food out of water causing him to gulp in air, and according to you, he is sick.. So that is my observation and opinion Bella.

shih-tzu mom

Well, update on Peek; as i thought his swelling is starting to go done and hungrey this morning and i will think hard on all advice and still waiting for him to show me some suffering-i have the clove oil and volka waiting close by-but he is swimming around and appears quite happy as his usual little self-but i will see over the week-end-I really feel he wants to live and he's not ready to give in to the ultimate as yet-but in case he changes his mind -then i will help him-bella

shih-tzu mom

Another update;Peek's red spot has started to disapear, i believe the vaseline with lanoline has helped and he's very hungrey-but i will not feed until tonight or tomorrow morning-will update a little later-bella

Sharkitty

Hi Bella, I know many have weighed in already, but I am going to as well. Peek looks like a very sick fish, and he has been a sick fish - unable to swim upright - for months now. He cannot scream in pain, or even make ridiculous painful facial expressions (like people, cats, dogs). I imagine he is suffering, and has been for some time. As everyone has said, this is your decision and yours only, but I think you and Peek are both fighting a losing battle. I feel your pain - I have had to put two kittens to sleep in the last two years after fatiguing but ultimately unsuccessful battles with a fatal disease. It never feels 100% right, but I think based on the comments of the very knowledgeable fish people on this site, who have been following your battle, you can know that you are, in fact, doing what is best for Peek.

capekate

I have merged threads, Shih-tzu mom, as they both are related to the same topic and fish and hopefully will cut down on any duplicate responses or confusion.

MaddieLynn

I think that you know him best and you will know when he calls it quits. My opinion is that if he still has the will to live, why put him down?

shih-tzu mom

Maddie; i agree somewhat-he doe's have the will to live and who am i to take that away-only our creator has that power and if he deems neccessary he will do-but i will watch him over the week-end and make my judgement-he ate his pea's tonight and that is all he will get for a few days-hoping he will be alright, But he will let me know-i'm sure-bella

shih-tzu mom

CK; thank you for that as i get nervous and forget to do it-This PTS was started by one person and it has spread to a PTS thread not a 'how to help thread-bella

capekate

quote">one very large factor we use to judge is the one you are. is the animal (with all its injuries) still showing signs that its personality that it should have normally is intact. in other words, in spite of its obvious physical trauma, does the animal still overwhelmingly show its normal character <unquote
Normal character? This poor gold fish has been laying on its side since April because it can no longer swim, it needs assistance from a human to turn it now and again so that its scales that are exposed to the air will not dry up and deteriorate, and open with sores. It cant roll over nor swim.. once in awhile it will flap its fins and propel itself around the tupperware container..
Just where is the fish showing its normal character in all this?
This fish is suffering... and shiztumom just doesnt want to do what is necessary in order to relieve this fish of its discomfort and pain. There is no way that it is going to heal after all this time..
I remember a women I knew many years ago, her poor little dog was laying on a blanket.. paralyzed... with open 'bed' sores... this little dog was never going to walk again and was in pain.. she 'prayed' for a healing and left it in God's hands. Most folks would have called her an animal abuser. That poor little dog wasted away to nothing and then died. Someone should have intervened on behalf of that dog back then... Just as someone should intervene on behalf of that poor goldfish that is suffering.
We all can get indigent when we hear of mistreatment of Betta fish.. or any other fish... and voice strongly how we feel about it and thats ok.
When we voice strongly about Peek's condition we get a post that miracalously Peek is suddenly doing better, sore disappearing.. and is swimming around his tupperware container, where only a day ago, we see a photo of a horrendously swollen, opened sored goldfish that is laying upside down in a tupperware container.
I am sorry that I may sound very blunt... I am tired of the excuses of 'know best the fish' etc etc.. All I am thinking of is a fish that has no voice.. that is not living normally, in pain.. and no one to advocate for it. So thats what I am doing.. right now...advocating for this poor goldie that has me heartsick looking at its photos and the condition it is has been in for so long.

edit: my post may sound confusing to others as I was replying to an above post that was deleted by the poster and therefore, some confusion may be seen by its omission.

shih-tzu mom

Thank-You for your comments and did you read my prior post-'i will watch him for the week-end?-bella

Tony G.

HI, i found this video on youtube a while ago and its about a fancy goldfish with swim bladder, they created this method to hold him down with a small ring, that went around his body, and there was a string that held it down witha small pebble. the fish stayed upright and did not struggle to swim, i cant find the video so i'll keep looking.

shih-tzu mom

Tony; Thank-You for that-but i may have to make a desion soon as to PTS i will see how he is tonight and then i will make my desion sp] thanks again very helpful-bella

kimb

Hi Bella, just wondering how you made out this weekend? I know you were facing a difficult decision.

shih-tzu mom

Will update Kimb; when i can talk about him-bella

KrisT

Hi Bella,

Just wanted to say hi and let you know that my thoughts are with you. I know you love Peke dearly. I don't know of Anyone who would have went to the lengths that you have to help him.

Lucy

shih-tzu mom

Peek-was put to to sleep june20/2009-he fought to live and i had a very hard time with it-but by sun; i felt he was suffering and proceeded to PTS-will be alfully missed by his mom-I would like to thank everyone for their help and support, during his sickness and hanging in there with us-bella