stomach gas bubbles?

[Oakie]

Can't seem to get the search to work and I've gone through about a dozen pages in this forum and can only seem to find the one reference ina poll.

I have an erectus that had been anchoring himself a fair bit - today I noticed that when he unhitches he has a tough time swimming and even swims upside down. I have read that this is a sign of gas bubble, though his pouch doesn't seem that bloated?

If it is, any suggestions - had read that possibly needs to be removed and have the pouch rubbed. Anyone do this and any special instructions?

Thanks

 

[panmanmatt]

Try this:
http://www.seahorse.org/library/articles/pouchevac.shtml

And whatever you do, please don't rub the pouch. All that will do is damage the tender pouch lining.

 

[TimSalty]

Is there any other reason a seahorse would swim upside down? I have a male doing the same thing for the past 2 days, and thought he was pregnant.

If it is a gas bubble, would it clear it self? or I must do what I read in the above attachment.

He's still eating, so I gave it little attention till I saw this thread.

Also, is the opening at the top, or bottom of the pouch?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[panmanmatt]

Air is the only thing that will make them float. Whether it be in the pouch or the body. It is possible to be pregnant and have air in the pouch at the same time. Either way, a pouch evacuation is needed to release the air. It may clear itself but the chances are slim.

The pouch opening is at the top of the pouch.

 

[Oakie]

well I'm at a bit of a loss. I"ve tried to do the evacuation but haven't been successful. I think I'm too worried at doing more harm than good in applying the technique in the article above.

I'm fearful that he's slowly going to starve as he can't "go after" food. As soon as he unhitches he's shooting right up to the top of the tank and it seems to take a lot of effort to get back down. I'm trying to target feed him so tha the stays put.

 

[Rays]

Target feeding is not going to work, you've got to get the air out. The first time is always the hardest, but you can do it.

 

[Oakie]

oh boy......can you maybe give me some tips on how to do that, some step by step instructions. I can push on the stomach but nothing seems to come out.

 

[Jeffrey Porter]

my coworker told me about gas bubble. have you lifted it out of the water recently, or has he been sucking in food from the surface?

possibly sucked in a bubble or several that were on the rocks or something.

 

[Oakie]

Thanks Rays.....I DID IT, I DID IT, I DID IT.

The non-instrument approach didn't work, so after a few deep breaths I used a catheder like tool to go into the pouch and out popped a large air bubble....scared me actually, it was the size of a small pea. Then did it a couple more times to get the rest out.

He's quite stressed but swimming vertically. Hope he makes it.

Phew!!!!

 

[ReidiLoverLinds]

I would get ahold of some diamox asap. you should have it on hand anyways. www.inhousedrugstore.com has it, i have ordered it from there before.

 

[Rays]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12241067#post12241067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Oakie
Thanks Rays.....I DID IT, I DID IT, I DID IT.

The non-instrument approach didn't work, so after a few deep breaths I used a catheder like tool to go into the pouch and out popped a large air bubble....scared me actually, it was the size of a small pea. Then did it a couple more times to get the rest out.

He's quite stressed but swimming vertically. Hope he makes it.

Phew!!!!

Great job! Sometimes it's a one time thing, where air got trapped in there, and sometimes it's a recurring event due to bacterial infection, thus the need for Diamox.

 

[panmanmatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12240582#post12240582 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeffrey Porter
my coworker told me about gas bubble. have you lifted it out of the water recently, or has he been sucking in food from the surface?

possibly sucked in a bubble or several that were on the rocks or something.

Seahorses do not get gas bubble disease from being taken out of the water or from snicking air bubbles off of rocks. The air is in the pouch, not the stomach.

 

[panmanmatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12244466#post12244466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rays
Great job! Sometimes it's a one time thing, where air got trapped in there, and sometimes it's a recurring event due to bacterial infection, thus the need for Diamox.

Diamox is not an antibiotic and has no effect on bacterial infections. For infections you need either Furan 2 or neomycin.