Saving a Puffer Fish with surgery
by
, 12-13-2012 at 10:32 PM (6777 Views)
So this story really touched my heart when it broke recently on Facebook. Brian Bunne Broughten of Advanced Aquarium Service in Minnesota had a client whose pet "Bubba" needed emergency care. The fish had ingested a clam, and the shell was trapped within Bubba's digestive system intact and still hinged. The fish grew lethargic, stopped eating and also no longer expel waste for too long.
The first step was to get the fish x-rayed to see what was going on.
Dr Kizer of Lexington Pet Clinic performed the surgery.
Once the issue was determined, the fish was sedated and water was run over its gills to allow it to breathe while not thrashing about. Here's a link to the video of the surgery:
http://www.facebook.com/v/4404871512942
Once the area was deemed cleared of any other obstructions, he got stitches.
And for the two hour drive home, he was able to swim in a temporary container.
Bubba, the dogface puffer fish, is now back in an aquarium and we hope he'll make a full recovery. His appetite hasn't returned yet, but that could be an effect of the anesthesia.
The surgery cost less than $500 for this 15 year old pet. A number of people have gone the extra mile to save Bubba.
To follow the latest about Bubba, like this page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Advanc...e/157504915771