"Wobbles" battles Dropsy

Hello everyone. "Wobbles" is a red and white lionhead goldfish. About 3 weeks ago, Wobbles became very lethargic but was eating fine. When she wasn't eating, she was just laying on the gravel. This went on for 4 days. The next morning, she was completely bloated, severely pineconed with eyes bulging and headstanding. She stopped eating. I completed the first course of Maracyn Plus and epsom salt baths with no difference. She was suffering so I decided to euthanize her because I had read so much on the internet that said that once a fish was in the advanced stages of dropsy, it's fatal. I went out to get vodka. I already had the clove oil.

Before going to the liquor store, I stopped in my lfs to get some food for my other fish. I told one of the lfs guys what was going on. He was one of the guys that gave me Wobbles. I told him I was going to pick up vodka and euthanize her. He asked me who said that Dropsy is incurable and I explained what I had read. He asked if I was willing to try another course of meds before euthanizing her. I, of course, said absolutely.

He suggested treating the tank she is in with Maracyn Plus at half strength and Maracyn TC at full strength at the same time. Also, soaking her pellets in Maracyn TC for 30 minutes before feeding her. He also said to stop all salt. I was concerned that the med regime he was suggesting would kill her and he pointed out that if I didn't, she would die anyway. So, I bought more Maracyn Plus and Maracyn TC and started right away. I also picked up the vodka just in case.

After 3 days, Wobbles started eating the Maracyn TC soaked pellets and the headstanding stopped.

After 5 days, Wobbles appetite is really good and she's swimming around the tank slowly.

Day 6 she starts to form clear fluid filled blisters on her body and her face. This scares me and I go to the lfs. He says that this is a great sign as the fluid that has accumulated in her tissues is being released. She is looking less bloated and scales are less pineconed so I keep up with the med regime.

Day 8 the blisters start to pop but this is expected and the antibiotics she is on will prevent infection of these spots.

Day 10, all the blisters have popped and the scales are almost flat, she is only a little bit bloated, looking very energetic and swimming around happily. Now she's back to greeting me and begging for food.

Today is day 12 of the med regime and she is no longer bloated, blister sites are healing very well. I think she will survive Dropsy (knock on wood). My lfs guy suggested that I continue the treatment for one more week as this will give her time to build herself back up.

Sorry for the long post but thought I should provide this info in the unfortunate instance that one of you may find yourself in a situation where you have to deal with Dropsy.

I forgot one important detail. Temp. should be kept at a minimum of 76.

 

Thanks for your post it was really helpful! I'm glad that Wobbles was able to survive Dropsy and I know what to do if my fish ever get dropsy, but I hope they don't

 

I hope that it will help others to have this info. The only thing that I don't know is whether the temp requirement would be different for other fish. I think I will ask about this the next time I go to my lfs.

 

Hello BubbleFish,

What great news! I'm so glad Wobbles has recovered!

Ken

 

Way to go, Bubblefish! Awesome save!

Good job, Wobbles! You're a fighting goldfish

 

Glad to hear Wobbles is doing better. Please keep us updated

 

Thanks all! She really is a little "toughy".

I think I'll provide updates as she continues her battle because I think there is little information on what to expect as the little fishies go through the various stages of dropsy because most pass away rather quickly after they start pineconing.

Update:
This morning Wobbles is not only greeting me and swimming energetically, she's back to swimming in frantic circles and stopping at the front of the tank to stare at me in between each lap. She used to always do this because she wants me to put my finger in to stroke the sides of her face. I have not done this since she developed the blisters because I don't want to agitate the tissue around her face while it's healing.

She is no longer bloated, her scales are completely flat and she has that shiny, sleek look back. Her color had faded to a lighter orange but is now starting to get that reddish color back. She has developed another water filled blister behind her right eye. It's a small one and I think it's the last bit of fluid being released from her body.

Given that there is another blister today, that means that the treatment period will be extended. The instructions that I received was to provide a full 7 days after the last blister has popped.

 

Update: Wobbles is getting stronger and more playful. She is acting like her old self. Her last fluid filled blister had popped by this morning. The old blister sites are barely noticeable this morning so they are healing very well. I'm feeling a little more confident that she will be fine.

 

Update: There have not been any more blisters and her old blister sites have healed so this morning will be her last dose of meds. She's very active and has gained weight. There have been no signs of bloating and her color looks great, back to that vibrant reddish orange. She's very shiny and very playful.

She is currently in a 20 gallon quarantine tank and I will be keeping her in this tank for 2 more weeks just to make sure she is fine without meds.

At the end of the two weeks, I will move her to the 65 gallon tank that her buddy "Wiggles" is in. Because she got so sick, she hasn't grown since I got her and now Wiggles is more than twice her size. She's very active so she will love the 65 g tank.