Pets - 9 January 2007

I've actually put this hear to explain how the disease works. I had made a response to a previous question, and someone said they didnt know why I thought ph had anything to do with ick. Actually Ick is a parasite that all fish carry, but break out with when stressed. Usually any drastic change in ph or tempature will bring on an ick breakout.
Ich is a ciliated protozoan parasite that infests freshwater tropical fish, goldfish, koi, and other gamefish species. Ich is a relatively large protozoan, up to one mm in diameter. Ich infestations can wipe out an entire tank of fish or pond if left untreated.
The most common symptom is the appearance of white spots on the fish. The spots can be seen on fins, the body, and eyes of the fish. Infested fish may not immediately show the characteristic white spots. Ich infests the gills, feeding on cells and fluids. Gill tissue suffers extensive damage, leading to suffocation of the fish.
Ich also infests the body and fins and can lead to secondary bacterial and fungal infections. In the early stages of infection fish may be seen scratching on ornaments, rocks, or gravel. In the later stages fish are often seen hanging near power filter outlets, pumping their gills, in an attempt to get oxygen. Some fish may sit of the bottom of the aquarium or pond. Infested fish often will not eat.
Ich parasites burrow just under the skin of fish, causing the characteristic "white spot" or trophont stage. At maturity, the adult parasite, called a tomont, detaches from the fish and swims freely for about six hours. The trophozite eventually settles to the bottom of the aquarium. The parasite then secretes a protective membrane. The "cyst" now undergoes many divisions, producing 1,000 or more offspring, called theronts. When the cyst breaks open, up to 1000 theronts emerge in search of a fish host. Theronts invade their fish host by burrowing into the skin with their cilia and digestive enzymes. The tomites feed on fish cells and tissue fluids until mature, starting the cycle over again. Tomites especially devastating to delicate gill tissue. The gills are destroyed by the destructive feeding action of the parasites, causing the fish to suffocate.

Considering that each trophozite releases about 1000 infective theronts, it is easy to see how fish can quickly succumb to an Ich outbreak. Water temperature controls the speed of the Ich life cycle. At 21° -24° C (70° -75° F) it takes about three days for a complete cycle.
Ich parasites can only be killed when they are in the free-swimming theront stage. Medications do not kill the parasites attached to the fish (white spot) or when the parasites are encysted in the gravel. Disappearance of the white spots simply means that the parasites have advanced to the cyst stage. In a few hours or days, depending on water temperature, thousands of infective theronts will burst out in search of a fish host. It is precisely at this point that the medication does its job. Since not all the Ich parasites "hatch out" at the same time, it is necessary to treat the aquarium or pond for several days to insure control. When one fish has ick, all fish in the aquarium or pond will be infected. All fish must be treated. Ich parasites are easily transferred to other aquaria or ponds by nets, hands, boots, etc. Quarantine the infested fish. Do not add or remove fish from the infested aquarium or pond. Begin treatment immediately.

2007-01-09 12:57:30 · 6 answers · asked by intense 2 in Fish

2007-01-09 12:57:10 · 4 answers · asked by sarah 1 in Fish

2007-01-09 12:54:30 · 3 answers · asked by thaisaturn 1 in Cats

A SOLID WHITE PUPPY NOT TAN OR LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT BROWN OR LIGHT GRAY WHITE if you have show me a picture.

2007-01-09 12:53:48 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

2007-01-09 12:52:29 · 21 answers · asked by chewtoy789 2 in Dogs

My GS is 2 yrs. old. She is extremely well behaved, loves other people, other dogs and my two cats. Does not like squirrels, though. We just got a smaller 6 month old Cavachon (a mix Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise). They are fine playing in the house together, but sometimes in the back yard when they are playing the running seems to get a little rough on the part of the GS. The Cavachon plays but will sometimes run to me or the porch to get away. When playing in the house the GS will bite at the little ones feet and body, but it does seem to be a gentle bite. Although just a minute ago, the GS started getting rough and I had to tell her to go lay down. I worry that one day the GS will look at the smaller one while playing outside and turn on her prey drive and hurt her. We have always followed Cesar Milan's training with the GS and she is calm and submissive with us. Even on walks, the GS walks just slightly behind, but beside us, ears back...submissive. Thanks.

2007-01-09 12:52:23 · 5 answers · asked by Laurie 1 in Dogs

can u give me some dog breeds of dogs that dont grow bigger than chiwawas? please! =)

2007-01-09 12:51:41 · 10 answers · asked by i <3 [[P.IT]] 2 in Dogs

Would these fish be okay together in a 29 or 30 gallon tank? If so, how many of each? Or which ones would be best compatible?
-Columbian shark catfish
-Clown Loach
-Red tail shark or rainbow shark
-Flying Fox
-Blue Gourami
-Pearl Gouramis
-Swordtail
-Angelfish
-Small Pleco?
-Pictus Catfish

I do not want to feed the fish other live fish!!!

2007-01-09 12:49:54 · 9 answers · asked by ? 4 in Fish

she is brown with a white speck on her forhead.

2007-01-09 12:48:03 · 10 answers · asked by buttercupdreamy 1 in Other - Pets

how long should you starve the kitten. he is due to get neutered on thursday. the receptionist tol me to starve him over night. so when would his last feed be? but some websites say they must be starved 24 hours before the op.

2007-01-09 12:45:57 · 29 answers · asked by x 2 in Cats

My hermit crab won't eat! we got him about6 1/2 -7 hours ago. we are giving him little pellets. What does it look like when hermit crabs go to the bathroom? My hermit crabs cage is boring what can i put in or on the outside of it that's cool that i don't have to make? Tips on letting a hermit crab live a heathy life. I have a heating light for my crab is that OK? How do you know when a crab is sick? What is a daily misting and how do you do it? Should i put cloth in the cage for comfort. Should i turn his light off at night? Tell me EVERYTHING you know about HERMIT CRABS. I've never had one before so that's why i'm asking so many questions. Please tell me in the next 30-60 minutes.

2007-01-09 12:44:15 · 6 answers · asked by slhamberg 1 in Reptiles

We have a cat who is about 2 years old. Just recently she started being "naughty". She's been pooping on the carpet in the basement (this is the only place in the house we have carpet at all). We have another cat who is male and is 11 years old. We haven't caught him doing this yet - we're pretty sure it's just Emmie. We bought a second litter box (the enclosed type with the opening for the cats to go through) and put it in the area she had been "soiling". It didn't work. We have always used "Tidy Cats for Multiple Cats" and we've always had the enclosed boxes. What could be causing her to do this now all of a sudden? I'm pregnant and supposed to stay away from cat feces. When possible I plan on ripping that carpet out - but in the meantime, until I can do it, what else is there to do? My other cat is allergic to clumping litter - so that's not an option since he uses both boxes now that we have 2. Also the boxes are kept very clean. Help please!

2007-01-09 12:44:13 · 7 answers · asked by lilly_rose_starphase 3 in Cats

I have a shih tzu that loves to wear clothes, but I want to buy some new outfits.

2007-01-09 12:43:45 · 7 answers · asked by Barlow 6 in Dogs

(who are you most like if you were an animal)

2007-01-09 12:41:25 · 15 answers · asked by NIKKI☮ 4 in Cats

This is for one of my classes.

2007-01-09 12:40:56 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Fish

Here's sort of what it looks like: http://sophie-g.net/photo/nature/pct/poisson03.jpg

2007-01-09 12:38:54 · 40 answers · asked by Brandon 2 in Fish

I saw jackass 2 and I have to admit I was a little concerned :)

2007-01-09 12:38:54 · 16 answers · asked by like a fox 2 in Reptiles

My female dog, one of those really tiny ones, is in heat and I also have a male dog who's not quite big but no where near as small as she is. He's lately been licking her ears alot and I've seen him panting though I have not seen him mount her. He's all ready gotten a different female dog in the house pregnant, we currently have 6 puppies!!

I'm only 15, and my mother can't seem to find the time to take our male dog to get neautered. How can I step in and prevent another pregnant dog?

2007-01-09 12:38:03 · 12 answers · asked by Aya 1 in Dogs

When being petted, my cat will often start swishing his tail like mad. Big, fast, back and forth swishes. And he'll purr and head butt and generally be a big sweet heart.

But I've always heard that vigorous tail swishing means the cat is angry or very irritated.

Is this always true?

Does anyone else own a cat who "waggs" its tail when happy?

2007-01-09 12:37:47 · 9 answers · asked by ljn331 4 in Cats

ok well i spilled some fish food on my carpet and i went to go get the vacume , i came back and my 25 pound boston terrier ate it all off the floor! She isnt acting any different but do you think shes gunna be ok ?

2007-01-09 12:37:41 · 9 answers · asked by katt 2 in Dogs

big dogs as well. They dont discriminate!!! NO two dogs are the same so why generalize them like that? I have a small dog that is MUCH better behaved than most big dogs and easier to play with and funnier!

2007-01-09 12:37:40 · 12 answers · asked by pingme03 2 in Dogs

it gets me mad as hell even though I love my dogs!it takes me a while to get it off my work boots!!!

2007-01-09 12:35:28 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

...and if it is something else, what other conditions could it be?

He is a 2 1/2 years old Abyssinian. no other cats around, indoor only. We went to the vet today, and she felt a "growth" whether its a enlarged lymph node or a pocket of fluid i dont know. He also has fluid buildup in the lungs and stomach area. We only had an x-ray done.

I have read many things about this, since my revelation of this condition at the vet today. Including that its nigh impossible to diagnose and that its mis-diagnosed frequently.

In all of my readings i havent found anything that indicates a "growth" in the abdomen when citing symptoms of FIP.

He's not doing too bad right now, i took him home and wanted to research this. his breathing labored, but i dont want him to go on like this too long.

So again, my question is, given these symptoms, what else could it be if NOT FIP?

2007-01-09 12:34:11 · 5 answers · asked by mark b 2 in Cats

what is the differance.. they are like the same bird arent they.. iv been having a very long conversation abou this.. and frankly.. noone has any idea..
plz hlep

2007-01-09 12:33:32 · 7 answers · asked by Matthew David 4 in Birds

2007-01-09 12:33:24 · 10 answers · asked by fiona k 1 in Cats

she has very dry skin and the vet recomended Benadryl or else a cortizone shot and I dont want steriods pumped into her- how long can she stay on benadryl

2007-01-09 12:32:43 · 5 answers · asked by frederickmain 2 in Dogs

im vacationing in el salvador with my gf and we found an iguana that has been hit on the head with a rock and its left eye is swollen and its mouth is kinda bleeding and it only moves ocasionally and it just lays there how can i help it please real answers only!

2007-01-09 12:32:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Pets

i reciently brought 3 pet mollie fish from my local pet stor. i took them home & put them in (arround) a 55 lieter fish tank & one of them has died allready (i got them on monday it is now wednessday) the other 2 are looking pritty bad aswell ( i think my pot belly is pregnate)... i have a heater in the tank & it is set to 25*c (i turned it down from 27*c) i have a live plant in there & also have a rock that they can squeeze under, or sit behind. oww i also have a pet fighting fish (male) in with them & they sometimes play with one & other. he is still really healthy (& prittyer than ever). i dont know what to do.... i was planing on getting some female fighter fish to put in there to (couse my other 3 tanks are full) i wanted to breed them but if the mollies are dying then they might to .........PLEASE HELP!!!!!

2007-01-09 12:32:20 · 9 answers · asked by sxclips=ME 1 in Fish

2007-01-09 12:31:41 · 4 answers · asked by buckeyegal1978 1 in Other - Pets

This is for my project so could all of you show your opinion please.
-Thank-You

2007-01-09 12:27:57 · 4 answers · asked by Boiiiii 2 in Fish