Need Help & or Advice with my Pony

[maroonman]

My smallest H. erectus Has developed a swollen Backside .

Not 100% of the sex .( because she is so young ) So I can't rule out ABD in Males . But it appears to be more swollen on the back side rather then the front side . we have only had ( her ) for maybe 3 months?
Eating pattern was great untill today . She will swim from my hand down to a hitching area. But will not curl her tail.Has a elevated breathing pattern.And will sit stiff on a branch just leaning. Not active , just stays in one area.. Doesnt float to the top or float sideways.
I frequently change 30% of my water each 10 days.Nothing has been added to the tank .
The other 4 Ponies are in tip top health. I have taken a few pics I will attach.
Any ideas would be great.

 

[maroonman]

1 pic

 

[maroonman]

pic 2

 

[maroonman]

pic 3

 

[maroonman]

pic 4

 

[rayjay]

First thing to do is put the seahorse in a 10g hospital tank and lower the temperature to as close as you can to 68°F.
The white appears to be possible bacteria infection, and while the swelling looks like GBD, it isn't floating, but not all GBD affected seahorses float IME.
If it were my seahorse I'd be treating with Furna II and with Diamox to be on teh safe side.
Treating for one now, and if it doesn't work, it may be too late to start the other treatment later.

 

[maroonman]

Can you recommend a dosage?

 

[maroonman]

I can't seem to find any of that medication other than Furan 2?

 

[vlangel]

I got a prescription for diamox from my vet. It's not a typical pet or fish med. I think it is used for glaucoma so a vet writes the script and a pharmacy fills it.

 

[maroonman]

Well, i left work early and i shopped each vet i knew of.
Ended up only with the Furon 2.
Got the Hospital Tank prepped and dosed. , sal. Temp, matched. Set her in..she swam for a solid 5 mins..playing in the bubbles..then settled down in the macro/cheato ball i set next to a good hitching post.
She still looks the same ( no worse ) also still breathing heavy.
Fingures crossed..

 

[rayjay]

See Here For Many Med Dosing Instructions
For Furan II though I just go by the instructions on the box, but make sure not to stop until all treatments are completed.
I prefer heavy aeration as some meds seem to leave the oxygen levels too low and I never remember which meds do that.
I also prefer to keep very low light conditions around the hospital tank as some meds break down with light.

 

[DanU]

Diagnosing a seahorse can be difficult, even more so through a forum.

Looking at the pic and going by the description, I doubt it is a gas issue, more likely edema. The kidney runs along anterior portion of the spine in the body cavity. I would suspect some type of renal issue. The only treatable type issue would be bacterial. The edema can cause tenderness and limit mobility with tail.

Furan 2 generally works well with seahorses when issues are caught early enough and they are indeed of a treatable bacterial issue. I find best results when it is given orally as well as bath therapy. If the seahorse is still eating, this would be an option. Given your location, adult artemia (brine shrimp) should be accessible. Gut loading artemia for 2 to 4 hours with Furan 2 and the enrichment of your choice and then doing the bath therapy would be ideal. Ray's advice on a hospital tank and lowering temperature should be done.

Dan

 

[maroonman]

No, she will not eat , has stopped now ( day 2 of not eating ).
She looks worse to me today. Little movement, less heavy breathing...but almost floating near the top now, in a upright stance. The white patch on her backside looks the same.
I dunno, its not looking good .

 

[DanU]

Sadly, the prognosis is not good then. Tube feeding would have to be done, but I doubt that it will be enough. It usually takes 2 to 3 days for the antibiotic to begin to halt the progression.

Dan

 

[bluekoi]

If she is floating, does that mean it could be gas bubble?

 

[DanU]

Gas bubbles you generally see on the exterior but gas can get trapped internally and in the pouch. Also swim bladder issues can be an issue. Positive buoyancy is generally a sign of excess air somewhere!

Dan

 

[maroonman]

I understand gas bubble diseases, but she/he is so young, you can not see a pouch. I dont just want to poke a hole not knowing if its a pouch or gut.

 

[bluekoi]

I think you have a female. She has a very prominent "tummy" and distinct anal fin.

Good catch DanU, I didn't think about swim bladder!

Keep us posted. *fingers crossed*