Gone are the days of just keeping a pet goldfish you won at the local fair. Fish ownership has leveled up with many people taking on the role of serious aquarists. With this role comes the job of maintaining and caring for more expensive species, such as Koi and Angelfish. When these fish get ill, medical intervention is necessary and comes at a price.
It’s important to know what types of expenses you could incur and when to call a veterinarian for care.
The Rise of Aquatic Medicine
When it comes to veterinary care for fish, many people may be surprised to discover that ultrasounds and diagnostic testing are now widely available for pet fish. Some fish may even require surgery depending on the results of these tests.
Why do fish need these tests?
Just as your pet dog or cat may need an ultrasound to see what’s going on inside of them, the same is true for pet fish. An ultrasound on a fish can look at the intestines, the liver, the gallbladder, and much more. It can also check for internal tumors, fluid accumulation, and bladder issues. All of these issues need to be addressed before they become more serious.
Diagnostic Testing for Pet Fish
Veterinarians perform diagnostic testing for pet fish. This includes a wide variety of tests to look for many different ailments. Some of these tests include:
- Water Quality Testing: This checks for environmental factors that may be harming fish. This includes checks for pH, ammonia, nitrate, and temperature.
- Skin/Mucus Scraping: Used to identify external parasites, fungi, and bacteria.
- Gill Biopsy: A small snippet of gill filament is taken to check for parasitic infestations and inflammation.
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): This testing is used to detect parasites, viruses, and bacteria quickly.
- Blood Tests: While less common, they can be useful for detecting systemic disease in larger fish.
- Fecal Examination: This test is used to identify internal parasites or eggs.
Much essential testing can be done in clinics. Specialized labs are often needed to test for viruses and bacteria. This can be more expensive.
When to Call a Professional
As with any other pet, your fish will show signs that it’s time to see a veterinarian. Look for these red flags:
Changes in Swimming Patterns
Check whether your fish is swimming erratically. If they are scraping against the surface, floating on the side, or sinking to the bottom, you’ll want to seek professional help. Anything that is out of their normal habits can be a cause for concern.
Behavioral Issues
If your fish is not eating as it used to or is hiding in the tank, there could be a problem. When they become isolated from their school, they may not feel well and need a veterinarian’s help.
Physical Signs
Look at their skin. If you notice white spots, cloudy eyes, or fin rot, you’ll want to have them checked out. These conditions are generally not normal and may indicate an issue.
Breathing Problems
Any labored breathing can be a sign that your fish is struggling. Look to see whether they are gasping for air at the surface or showing any rapid or labored gill movement.
Visible Tumors
Sometimes fish will develop masses or tumors that are easily visible. This is a clear sign that something is wrong and that treatment is needed. Just as you would seek care if you noticed this on a loved one, you’ll want to do the same for your fish. Ignoring this sign can lead to unfavorable consequences.
When you notice any sign that your fish is sick, you’ll want to quarantine it so that it doesn’t potentially impact the other fish in the tank. While you don’t know what is wrong, you don’t want your fish to spread viruses or parasites to other fish in the tank. Doing so can result in an entire tank of sick fish.
If you observe any warning signs of illness in your fish, you’ll also want to test your water quality. Ammonia, nitrates, and other things may be causing environmental problems. When a fish’s environment is not stable, it can lead to many health issues.
Paying for Emergency Aquatic Care
As with any emergency pet care, prices can vary depending on the type of care needed. An emergency visit can cost around $100 but quickly rise to thousands of dollars. This depends on whether they need an in-clinic exam, surgery, or specialized care.
Care that drives up the cost of taking care of your pet fish includes:
- Exotic vet exam fees
- Anesthesia costs
- Specialized antibiotics
- After-care needs
But when it comes to pets, many people will not put a price tag on the care their pets need. This results in pet owners looking for ways to pay for this care most effectively.
There are veterinary financing options available to help cover costs, especially in emergencies no one saw coming. These options let you get your fish the care they need immediately, with high approval amounts and payments that work with your budget.
Paying with a regular credit card can also be an option. But, if you can’t pay the full amount the next month, you will have to deal with high interest rates. This can make the treatment more expensive than necessary.
Whichever type of payment you choose, you know you are taking steps to best care for your pet fish that has become a part of your family.
The Bottom Line
Owners love their pet fish and will take all of the necessary steps to keep them healthy and protected. Fish can develop illnesses like any other pet and may require emergency care. Pet fish may need diagnostic testing, blood work, and, in some cases, even surgery to regain their health. In these cases, it is important to find the right payment options to make this type of care as affordable as possible. Finding the right veterinary care for exotic pets can ensure your fish live a long life.
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