To Euthanize or to treat?

Question

One of my betta fish has Dropsy, diagnosed by the pinecone appearance of her scales, and rather bloated belly. Everything I've researched says at this point there is no way to save her, but that my best hope if I want to try would be to place her in isolation and treat her with bactaria killer. I have plenty on hand and have done so, but at this point she has a very low chance of recovery.

Instead, it is more likely her kidney's have failed and she will die very slowly over the next few days, I can have her put down now, but I am still debating with myself if I should try to treat or put her down...

Answer 1

In my experience the only chance the fish will have is through treatment with both medicated foods and a specific antibiotic, Furanace. It's the only antibiotic absorbed well enough to provide a rapid treatment for an internal infection. Even with this very strong and aggressive treatment, you are right the fish only has a very slim chance to survive. From my experience and research into dropsy and it's causes, less than 10%.

I would recommend euthanizing the fish unless it is a very valuable breeder to your line and then it would be worth a try.

MM

Answer 2

There is no coming back from Dropsy if this is truely what she has. Putting her down is the only humane thing to do. Dropsy causes an improper fluid transfer such as when your fingers get wrinkled in the tub from being in the water too long. This condition causes water to be absorbed into as you mentioned kidneys along with other organs causing iminant failer. I am so sorry for this loss. We have over the 20 years of fish keeping have had one guppy and one platy that got dropsy. It is awful

Answer 3

I have tried to treat these guys, and one hung on for about five days! but still passed. Typically it does mean kidneys or something else is failing. A humane way to euthanize if that seems best, is to freeze the fishy. Don't flush alive, that is a terrible way to go. Otherwise, keep the fishy away from food and try putting some salt in the water. Keep water level low so they can get to the top to breath.
Thank goodness I haven't dealt with this in a long time, and I have never actually tried freezing myself -- you may want to look elsewhere also for humane ways. The fishy may go fast unfortunately, on its own.

Answer 4

Make certain that your Betta is showing other signs of sickness since female Betta's that are loaded with eggs can sometimes have the same appearance. If you decide to treat her, if she is eating try the new medicine food gels. They treat fish faster and directly instead of through the skin. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I would seriously try medicated foods like the gel's. If her dropsy is that bad it really is the only shot at getting the antibiotics to her quickly. Only you can make the decision to euthanize the fish.

PLEASE if you choose to Euthanize the fish, do not freeze her. It is a fact fish know they are freezing and this can take hours. The most humane way to euthanize a fish is 1/2 cup vodka or other clear spirit with 1/2 cup of water. Your fish should feel nothing from the first breath and quickly and painlessly pass on. within a matter of moments.

Sorry to hear about your fish.

Answer 6

If you have no ability to create life, you do not have the right to extinguish it, whether a fish or an insect.

There are various treatments for Dropsy, which the earlier answerer's have mentioned, and you should try your best to utilize these suggestions rather than thinking of "killing" your fish..

There is nothing called "mercy" killing, but there is "everything" in Hope.

Answer 7

If she has a low chance of recovery, let her go quickly. Bacteria killer sounds extreme and dangerous (since she would have to be isolated). Don't make her suffer.

Answer 8

I would just put her down. I would want to die a quick painless death instead of lingering in pain over a few days.