LIFESAVING SURGERY FOR PET FISH
THE owner of a $30 fish spent hundreds of dollars on a surgical procedure to save the much-loved pet’s life.
Bubbles the koi fish underwent a 30-minute procedure at the JCU Vet surgery yesterday to remove a potentially deadly tumour.
Zenden Acupuncture Clinic owner Michael Dare, who bought Bubbles about five to eight years ago, said he noticed the mass on the fish about six months ago and it just kept growing.
JCU Vet doctors told Mr Dare if the fish wasn’t operated on its quality of life would decrease and it was potentially fatal so he opted for the surgery.
“At some stage the tumour would have gotten bigger and burst, or something or got infected,” Mr Dare said.
“We wanted to see the fish survive.”
Mr Dare said the pond had been at the business for about two decades, but about five to eight years ago they renovated it and restocked the fish.
Since then the fish has been a part of business and family, in particular for Mr Dare’s son, Carter, 4.
“He likes the pond. He was excited to go down and see the fish after (the surgery),” Mr Dare said.
He said seeing the fish survive was worth the price of the surgery, which was understood to be about $300.
“We had to do what we could to save the fish, (rather) than just getting another one, taking away from its family,” he said.
“The fish’s survival is more important than the cost.”
JCU veterinarian Dr Ingrid Danyiyk, who performed the surgery, said it was likely the tumour was caused by a virus.
Fish surgeries are not completed under water. During the procedure anaesthetised water flows through its gills as vets operate.
Dr Danyiyk said fish surgeries were becoming more popular among pet owners.
“There is a lot of people that have really expensive fish and they are seeking more medical help now days.
“I’ve done (surgery) on a $25 goldfish before, it all depends on how the owners really think of their pets.
“Just because it’s a fish doesn’t mean we can’t help it with medical treatment.”