[stellenternet]

I'm scared! I think Caroline has dropsy! Her scales are slightly raising and she has a ton of the dropsy symptoms! I can add pictures if you want but how do I cure dropsy? Is there even a cure? I apologize if I sound rude or pushy in this post. I am just really worried and scared.

 

[lilnaugrim]

Hi there bettagerl, pictures would definitely help just in case. I don't mean to be untrusting of you but it will help see how far along she is.

But yeah, there's no cure for Dropsy unfortunately, it's what happens when an organ, namely the kidney's or liver, shut down which allows fluid to build up. Unfortunately, there's no 'restarting' of an organ :-/

 

[Tolak]

The usual needs to be filled out please;

1. Size of tank?

2. Water parameters
a. Ammonia?
b. Nitrite?
c. Nitrate?
d. pH, KH and GH?
e. Test kit?

3. Temperature?

4. FW (fresh water) or BW (brackish)?

5. How long the aquarium has been set up?

6. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?

7. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?

8. a. Any live plants? Fake plants?
b. Sand, gravel, barebottom?
c. Rocks, woods, fancy decors? Any hollow decors?

9. a. Filtration?
b. Heater?

10. a. Lighting schedule? What lights are used?
b. Any sunlight exposure? How long?

11. a. Water change schedule?
b. Volume of water changed?
c. Well water, tap water, RO water?
d. Water conditioner used?
e. Frequency of gravel/sand (if any) vacuumed?

12. Foods?
How often are they fed?

13. a. Any abnormal signs/symptoms?
b. Appearance of poop?
c. Appearance of gills?

14. a. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis?
b. What meds were used?

15. Insert photos of fish in question and full tank shot if necessary.

 

[stellenternet]

1. Size of tank? 5 Gallons

2. Water parameters I don't have a test kit
a. Ammonia?
b. Nitrite?
c. Nitrate?
d. pH, KH and GH?
e. Test kit?

3. Temperature? I am cleaning the tank right now so I don't know but I usually like to keep it at 80 degrees

4. FW (fresh water) or BW (brackish)? Fw

5. How long the aquarium has been set up? Since the last cleaning? a weeek or so. Since I got it? Couple months.

6. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them? Just Caroline

7. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)? Nope

8. a. Any live plants? Fake plants? One moss ball and a fake plant.
b. Sand, gravel, barebottom? rocks for the bottom
c. Rocks, woods, fancy decors? Any hollow decors? A castle with hole to swim through, Leaf hammock, little playstructure type thing, princess sign

9. a. Filtration? No but my moss ball keeps it cleanish
b. Heater? Yes

10. a. Lighting schedule? What lights are used? I have one heating light. I don't use it too much
b. Any sunlight exposure? How long? She is near a window

11. a. Water change schedule? I try to do it every week or week and a half
b. Volume of water changed? All
c. Well water, tap water, RO water? Tap
d. Water conditioner used? Yes, Aqueon betta conditioner and stress coat
e. Frequency of gravel/sand (if any) vacuumed? I don't vacume it

12. Foods? National Geographic flakes ( I know they are unhealthy and could give her swim bladder but she won't eat pellets.
How often are they fed? Twice a day

13. a. Any abnormal signs/symptoms? Everything I explained
b. Appearance of poop? I don't know but I am going to keep an eye on her poop
c. Appearance of gills? Pale

14. a. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? No
b. What meds were used?

15. Insert photos of fish in question and full tank shot if necessary.
Pictures are coming soon I just can't at the moment

 

[stellenternet]

Hi there bettagerl, pictures would definitely help just in case. I don't mean to be untrusting of you but it will help see how far along she is.

But yeah, there's no cure for Dropsy unfortunately, it's what happens when an organ, namely the kidney's or liver, shut down which allows fluid to build up. Unfortunately, there's no 'restarting' of an organ :-/

I will post pics soon sorry for the wait.

 

[stellenternet]

I have pictures. It might not be dropsy but any help would be much appreciated.
I am starting to think that doing any treatments would hurt too much and be very stressful for her. So if she has a slim chance of surviving would it even be worth it?
I put her in a cup so it would be easier to take pictures.
I am sorry if the pictures are sideways, If its too hard to make out the picture please tell me and I will flip them for you.

 

[tiffanylucky]

try using aquarium salt, that's what I always use first when my bettas are sick. Sometimes all your betta needs is aquarium salt because my female tiffy was dealing with an ammonia reaction and all she needed was some aquarium salt, hospital tank and me by her side and she was all better in an hour, she is still happy and alive today with minimal scaring. Sadly, my cute red boy wasn't as lucky as tiffy and died from ammonia poisoning with the same treatment (the bettas were not in the same rank at the same time and I keep the hospital tank safe for my bettas). But yeah, aquarium salt is worth trying.

 

[tiffanylucky]

Is that a sore on her in the third picture on the bottom left? If so then you maybe dealing with some nasty parasites or bacteria.

 

[stellenternet]

Yeah, I think that's a sore.
I have some aquarium salt. What do I do with it? (Sorry, I've never been in this situation before.)

 

[NorthernLights]

If it is indeed dropsy, you do NOT want to use aquarium salt. I cannot tell from the pictures, but one of the other more experienced people on here may be able to tell.

If you believe her to have dropsy, AQUARIUM salt is the opposite of what you want to use. What you need for that is plain, unscented EPSOM salt (which you can get at most pharmacies and grocery stores), about 3 teaspoons/gallon (you mix it up in a cup and then add it very slowly over the course of a couple hours).

Dropsy isn't a disease itself, but a symptom of end-stage illness. If it has a bacterial cause, kanaplex (which you will be very unlikely to find at a store but can order online from places like Dr. Smith and Foster's) is one of the few meds that is likely to help.

 

[stellenternet]

If it is indeed dropsy, you do NOT want to use aquarium salt. I cannot tell from the pictures, but one of the other more experienced people on here may be able to tell.

If you believe her to have dropsy, AQUARIUM salt is the opposite of what you want to use. What you need for that is plain, unscented EPSOM salt (which you can get at most pharmacies and grocery stores), about 3 teaspoons/gallon (you mix it up in a cup and then add it very slowly over the course of a couple hours).

Dropsy isn't a disease itself, but a symptom of end-stage illness. If it has a bacterial cause, kanaplex (which you will be very unlikely to find at a store but can order online from places like Dr. Smith and Foster's) is one of the few meds that is likely to help.

Okay, it might not be dropsy but her scales are starting to pine cone a bit.
We do have Epsom salt. I'll look into kanaplex. Will all these treatments stress her out? I'm wondering if I should just let her let go if that's what's best. I don't want her to be in more pain then she already is. But I also really don't want to lose her.