Seahorse Meds to have on hand

[rayjay]

Perhaps it's time for the people knowledgeable on seahorse diseases, to list the medications one should have on hand when keeping seahorses.
Perhaps the list could also state what each med is capable of helping with.
A sticky of these meds could help the newer people coming into the hobby.
I don't have a good memory and I always have to look up the information on other sites.

 

[mollymonticello]

I don't know if it's a good idea to encourage others to diagnose and treat their seahorses without help, since diagnosis is so difficult. If a seahorse is sick, I think it's best to get some help from experts and then have the proper treatment recommended. That's how I do it.

Personally, I think the most important meds to have on hand are Neomycin and Furan2 for Vibrio infections, and Diamox for GBD. Those are probably the most common ailments.

Also METRONIDAZOLE, FENBENDAZOLE, and PRAZIQUANTEL for deworming.

"Be sure to have on hand:
Formalin 3 and Neosporin (triple antibiotic ointment) as a topical solution.
(Betadine will do in a pinch.)
Kanacyn
Methylene blue
Furan-2 or Triple Sulfa
Tetracycline
Erythromycin
Metronidazole
Neomycin
Nitrofurazone

Optional:
Maracyn II
Furanase
Paragon II
Melafix
Malachite Green
Important meds that may be obtained through your veterinarian or MD:
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Ceftazime (Fortran)
Praziquantel (Droncit)

Essential tools to have on hand:
Fine gauge IV catheter flexible tubing (without needle)
Tuberculin syringe with needle removed
Loose hairpin with soft plastic tip"

from http://www.seahorse.org/library/art...tsAndInfo.shtml

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1589285

 

[francinemarie]

thank you for starting this thread rayjay! And thank you mollymonticello for providing the list of meds & equipment needed. one question though, where could you buy all those things needed?

 

[stricknine]

Molly,
Newbie here. I really hope you weren't serious! "Fine gauge IV catheter flexible tubing (without needle) WOW. And I thought I did plenty of research!!!

 

[DanU]

Here is the basic kit I recommend having on hand:

Antiparasitc & Antifungal
Formalin 37%
Methylene Blue

Wide spectrum antibiotic:
First choice - Nitrofurazone (Furan 2)
Second choide - Neomycin & Triple Sulpha

For Gas Bubble Disease Treatment:
Acetazolamide (Diamox) Needs Prescription or order out of the country.

Topical antibiotic:
Triple antibiotic - Neosporin or BioBandage

Deworming:
Metronidazole - Metro+
Fenbendazole - Panacur
Praziquantel - PraziPro

Sedation:
Clove Oil

Tools to have:
18 ga extra long IV cath - tube feeding & pouch flushes
1 cc and 3 cc syringe
Hairpin with bulb on end, IV catheter or eye dropper - for pouch evacs
Magnifying glass or dissecting scope - to get closer examination
Camera - to get photos when posting for help

In addition to the meds, you need to get dosing instructions on each one and have them available.

I would also have sites that give advice saved or phone numbers of those that can give advice. Having a local aquatic vet can be invaluable.

There are other drugs which may prove useful, some that require prescription, but I would seek advice from a practioner that can advise you correctly on their useage.

Dan

 

[francinemarie]

Does GBD only occur in male seahorses? Or in both male & female SH?

 

[DanU]

Males can develop pouch emphysema where air becomes trapped in the pouch. This may or may not be related to GBD.

Both males and females can develop GBD.

Dan

 

[francinemarie]

ok, thank you Dan

 

[stricknine]

again, WOW!

I can work on the list, but there is no way I can diagnose anything, nor have any idea on what to do with the meds. Also no offense helpful posters, but there is no way you can instruct me to use a "18 ga extra long IV cath - tube feeding & pouch flushes
1 cc and 3 cc syringe " over the internet.


Before you leave me running scared, is this hardcore breeder orientated, or lowly me with a seahorse orientated?

Ummm... thanks all.

 

[ann83]

Its not so scary, but it is "lowly me with a seahorse" oriented. the IV catheter sleeve can be used for tube feeding and pouch flushes, as is the syringe. While you might not have to perform either of these procedures, its not out of the ordinary. Here are two shots at explaining how to use those over the internet:
Force feeding: http://forum.seahorse.org/index.php?showtopic=10975&st=0&p=92298&hl=force feeding&#entry92298
Pouch evacuation http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/pouchevac/pouchevac.shtml

 

[rosebud161616]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14626848#post14626848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stricknine
again, WOW!

I can work on the list, but there is no way I can diagnose anything, nor have any idea on what to do with the meds. Also no offense helpful posters, but there is no way you can instruct me to use a "18 ga extra long IV cath - tube feeding & pouch flushes
1 cc and 3 cc syringe " over the internet.


Before you leave me running scared, is this hardcore breeder orientated, or lowly me with a seahorse orientated?

Ummm... thanks all.

It's really not as bad as you think. I have yet to tube feed and trust me it scares me to death, but after knowing how well the directions have helped me with pouch issues I'm confident I could tube feed by the directions too.

I will do pouch evacs on the way out the door now. It never fails that one second I will walk passed the tank to see a seahorse flirting, the next he's floating because he decided to open his pouch over the airline. And to think of how scared I was the first time I had to do one...

 

[mollymonticello]

I've never had to tube feed or do a pouch evacuation, but I've followed threads about people who have. They were scared to death, but when it came to the life of their seahorse, they did it. And afterward, they always say it's not as bad as they thought it would be. You'd do the same if it was a life or death situation. These little seahorses sure do grow on ya

You can get most of these meds at your favorite online fish retailer or LFS, but some of them need to be ordered from a specialty site or have a prescription. If you have a good relationship with your veterinarian, tell them you have seahorses and explain GBD. Better yet, print of an article and Diamox treatment regimen and show them that. Explain that it is necessary to treat for it ASAP, which is why you need Diamox before they get sick. A lot of times they'll get you a prescription for Diamox that way.