LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 21, 2013 I just got home for the weekend and found that Snowflake has dropsy. Pineconing, popeye, not acting right, white poop. I'm picking up a hospital tank right now, so this post is on the go. I have MMs. Ive never dealt with dropsy before. What should I do?? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen 8,511 Posted September 21, 2013 I am sorry to read this Laura if you do not have Epsom salt at hand, please buy some of that too. a spare heater, airstone and airpump is all that's required other than the tank/tub.. I will revisit when you return with your QT equipment & provide all information & photos (top view) as well photos from both sides so that we can see the eyes. is Snowflake still eating? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yafashelli 9,540 Posted September 21, 2013 Get well soon, snowflake. :( 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellbell4ever 1,381 Posted September 21, 2013 Awe I hope you caught it in time and he has a speedy recovery Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 21, 2013 I have a 10gal tank set up with an old 20gal filter because I don't have an air pump. I don't have a spare heater, just the one in my main 60gal. I have Epsom salt. Here's the best photos I could manage. The top view isn't the best because she's hanging out near the bottom, but I can clearly see her scales sticking out. http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7/laurathe3xplora/null_zpsa743a141.jpg http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7/laurathe3xplora/null_zps94608f65.jpg http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7/laurathe3xplora/null_zps37ebd143.jpg http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag7/laurathe3xplora/null_zps7ecc800a.jpg 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey 6,780 Posted September 21, 2013 Get better snowflake!! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoldenSpoiledRotten 6,786 Posted September 21, 2013 Laura, are you working on the form from the top of the page? Helen will need all of that information. I hope Snowflake gets better for you! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen 8,511 Posted September 21, 2013 ok hun.. since we're working on a brand new environment (qt tank).. we're just going to start medicating. I hope you are able to weigh your fish.. if so, please begin feeding snowflake MetroMeds at 1% of his bodyweight. heat up to 80F when you can, are you able to get a heater? add Epsom salt, the correct dose is 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 gallons, but because there is a lot of swelling and I see some blood smears in between the raised scales & around the eyes, please up the Epsom dose from 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 gallons to 1/2 teaspoon. this is for the next 3 consecutive days and then reduce to 1/4 teaspoon for the next 5 days. you will need to be doing 100% daily water changes (irrespective of the filter) as the Epsom will draw a lot of the retained fluids out & the heat will increase digestion rapidly and that all needs to be removed & re-dosed.. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 21, 2013 Test Results for the Following: * Ammonia Level(Tank) 0 * Nitrite Level(Tank) 0 * Nitrate level(Tank) 0 * Ammonia Level(Tap) 0-.25 * Nitrite Level(Tap) 0-.25 * Nitrate level(Tap) 0 * Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines) 7.6 * Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines) 7.6-8 Other Required Info: * Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? API drops * Water temperature? 72 in main tank, 68-70 in QT * Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? 60gal main, 10gal QT * What is the name and "size of the filter"(s)? 2 AC 70s on main, 20gal whisper on QT * How often do you change the water and how much? 50-60% once a week * How many days ago was the last water change and how much did you change? * How many fish in the tank and their size? Last weekend, doing one today in main tank * What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime * What do you feed your fish and how often? Hikari Lionhead 2x day and a cube of frozen worms * Any new fish added to the tank? No * Any medications added to the tank? No * List entire medication/treatment history for fish and tank. Please include salt, Prazi, PP, etc and the approximate time and duration of treatment. Salt & Prazi when tank was set up * Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? * Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? Was hanging near top in main tank, swollen like a pearlscale, pinecone scales, popeye, just looking generally puffy and unhappy Mai Tai was swollen up for a few weeks with a mystery infection or eggs (not sure yet) and is now back to normal. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen 8,511 Posted September 21, 2013 hun, do you think the 60 gal heater might be too big for the qt tank? since the temp in both tanks are similar, I am guessing that is room temp stable? if so, would it be worth trying to fit the heater in the 10 gal to get the heat up to and around 80F? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 21, 2013 Thanks so much Helen! I read your first post after I finished my water change. I added 1/2tsp to the QT and I put a media sponge from the main tank in there just in case. I think the big heater would fit if I put it at an angle. Would that be ok? I think my house is pretty stable around 68. 150W is ok for a 10gal right? She doesn't want to eat, but maybe if the swelling goes down she will eat some MMs 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted September 21, 2013 I'm sorry, Laura. I think that a comb-over of your system is warranted, since this is the second fish that has ballooned up in a short amount of time. Good luck with Snowflake! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 22, 2013 I'm sorry, Laura. I think that a comb-over of your system is warranted, since this is the second fish that has ballooned up in a short amount of time. Good luck with Snowflake! I did a big water change and cleaned out my filters. What else should I do? And thank you! She is my oldest and sickest fish, I'm not sure she will make it 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4prettyfish 2,702 Posted September 23, 2013 I'm so sorry Laura Snowflake is not doing good. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted September 23, 2013 How is she doing? Has she been eating Metro-Meds? How much of it daily? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellbell4ever 1,381 Posted September 23, 2013 so sorry she's not feeling well I see your in excellent hands and I hope she has a speedy recovery 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 23, 2013 Last I heard, my mom was trying to get her to eat by tempting her with the regular pellets and crunching up the MMs (she has sort of a deformed mouth so she takes little bites). I wrote down at home how many she -should- be having a day 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 25, 2013 She's supposed to get 7-8 a day, but my mom has to trick her into eating them by mixing with the regular pellets. Sometimes she'll go back at night and eat the soggy pellets off the bottom 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted September 26, 2013 It's really important that she only eats the medicated pellets. Doing otherwise reduces the meds' effectiveness, as well as her general appetite. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted September 27, 2013 It's really important that she only eats the medicated pellets. Doing otherwise reduces the meds' effectiveness, as well as her general appetite.Ok, I will make sure she only gets the MMs 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted October 2, 2013 Update: my mom tells me that Snowflake is essentially back to normal! She's not pineconed anymore and is looking great. She sort of came back from the dead I guess, because my mom almost pulled her out of the tank because she turned gray and looked dead I guess she has 9 lives! How much longer should she stay on the MMs? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted October 2, 2013 How long has it been? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted October 4, 2013 Well she's been on MMs since 9/21 but she's been apparently looking normal since maybe 10/1? I wasn't sure how long after looking normal she should stay on the meds. So happy she made it!!! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted October 4, 2013 Stop the meds, on 10/6 please 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraThe3xplora 75 Posted October 22, 2013 Sorry to bring this topic up out of the archives, but it was bothering me that I never followed up with everyone who helped me with Snowflake. She pulled through! She's back to normal and is happy in the main tank again I will be ordering my own MMs to have on hand for her (THANK YOU to CindiL for sharing hers with me!!). Here's a blurry pic of her from this weekend....not puffy anymore! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites