Hi
I hope you can help me. I am looking for someone in STOKE ON TRENT OR NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME who is confident in handling fish to either help me treat one of mine of put it out of its misery. I live in Cliffe Vale, ST4. my mobie no is:07806826494.
I'm afraid I cannot take the fish to a vet as i am on benefits and the PDSA say they have no experience of treating fish.
On Thursday I found one fish dead (out of the pool, head gone) and another floundering in the shallows.
My daughter returned the alive fish to the pond and it seemed to swim OK. For the next day or 2 it seemed to be faring quite well. Eventually I was able to get close enough to see that it had a big bite on its back behind the head. However still swimming well tho obviously depressed.
I sought advice but the only treatment I discovered (wound spray) requires handling of the fish and I am so nervous and incompetent. In addition, these fish, which I "inherited" about 5 years ago are so nervous and unused to being handled I am afraid of doing more harm than good.
Lady in the shop advised me to wait and see how fish progresses.
Today it looks worse. Is now getting black patches on other parts of its body and part of its tail has either gone or curled over. The edges of the main wound are also going black.
I should tell you that I don't think this is a carp as I have never seen any of the mouth "fangs", it may just be a big goldfish. But whatever, it is suffering.
Is there anyone in your club who lives near enough to me to be able to pop over for a few minutes and give some first aid or euthanasia if recovery is doubtful?
Thank you in advance.
Kath Hayward.