Fresh water dip for Lympho

[Capt. Nemo]

My LFS has been holding a porcuppine puffer for me which developed lympho. The LFS had told me that they were going to scrape the lympho off the porc's fins. I came back a couple of day later and they told me that instead of doing the scraping they did a fresh water dip. The porc still has the lympho and I am not sure why a fw dip was done instead of the scraping. The person who did the dip told me that the porc had puffed up when this procedure was done and was concerned that if he did the scraping that this would only cause the porc to puff up again and may cause damage to his bladder or something. I dont know what to believe anymore. Should a fw dip have been done in the first place to treat lympho? Why they decided to do the dip and not the scraping is beyond me.

 

[Puffer Queen]

Lymphocystis is caused by a virus. Viruses run their course and then go away - just like the common cold.

It is often brought on by stress - acute or chronic.

Freshwater dipping will NOT cure it - only adds stress and "fuels the fire".

DO NOT SCRAPE!! Scraping should only be done if the lymphocystis is on the mouth, impeding eating or if it is severely handicapping the movement of a fin. Scraping often leads to secondary bacterial infection.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

Thank you very much for the excellent info and advice. Despite having the virus, this porc is the most lively and happiest fish I've ever seen. He/She is very active and eats well. I dont know if it had something to do with the fresh water dip, but it did appear that the porc's color may have changed and have become darker. It could also have something to do with the lighting. Do you know if a fresh water dip could affect the fish's coloring? Thanks.

 

[Puffer Queen]

Anything that causes stress (chronic or acute) can affect a fish, elasmobranch or seahorse's coloration.

Lymphocystis usually does nothing more than cause the ugly cauliflower growths. The fish is happy and usually there is no change in behavior or appetite.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

Wow, this newbie is learning alot from you. Will the porc's natural color return if there is a reduction in stress and the fresh water dips are discontinued? I think this guy has a better chance of getting well under my care then if it remains with at the LFS.

 

[Puffer Queen]

The coloration should return with stress reduction.

Please quarantine this new addition as introducing him to an established tank will lead to stress. Some fish may "sample" the white lesions and further stress/injure.

In QT, you can enrich the diet with vitamins and beta glucan to boost the puffer's immune system so it can heal.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

Hi Puffer Queen,

Thanks again for your expertise and advice. Could you please recommend vitamins/supplements that I can buy for the puffer? What is beta glucan and where can I buy it? With the right care, can the puffer make a full recovery? Thank you.

 

[Puffer Queen]

I am hesitant to make recommendations on specific brand names or list places where you can buy them in fear of endorsing a company. There are several good "fish" vitamins available both at LFS and on-line.

Beta glucan is derived from a molecule in brewer's yeast. It is an immune stimulant/enhancer. Do a google search for beta glucan and you should find a wealth of knowledge. Many vitamin, organic and natural food stores do carry it as well.

The puffer can recover with proper care.
Best of luck.

 

[Capt. Nemo]

Thanks again. I stopped in at my LFS to check up on the porc and the little fella seems to be making a nice recovery. It seems that lympho that was located on one fin has fallen off and lympho on another fin has in remission. I was mistaken when I had said that they had performed a fresh water dip. Instead they have been dipping the porc's food in vitamins and garlic. Even the porc's color seems better. Anyhow, I dont want to put you on the spot and ask you to endorse a particular brand on here so maybe you could PM or e-mail at: garymondelli@msn.com Some products that my LFS had recommened are as follows: Vita-chem, Hufa, and Quick Cure. Thanks!