Types of Betta Fish Diseases

A Healthy Betta Fish

Water Conditions

Many times when a betta fish loses its color, holds its fins close to its body and appears lethargic, it is not a betta fish disease but the water temperature that is the problem. Adjusting the water temperature to 78 to 80 degrees is a simple solution to the problem. If the betta fish does not respond to the correct water temperature, then a betta fish disease is the likely cause of the symptoms. Review caring for betta fish guides to ensure the health of the fish.

Fin and Tail Rot

Betta fish display very interesting features, especially their striking colorful, flowing fins and tails. Unfortunately, fin and tail rot often strike betta fish. The disease is the result of bacteria build-up from infrequent water changes. Leftover food and feces causes stress in bettas and their tails and fins begin to rot.

Jagged, torn fins and tails are symptoms of the disease. Eventually the fins and tail disappear completely and the betta is unable to swim, leading to death. The first thing to do when fin rot appears is to change the water and clean any ornaments or plants with hot water. Fin and tail rot is also contagious, infecting any other fish.

The most common medications for fin and tail rot are Tetracycline and Maracyn. These medications are available at pet stores. Adding about ¼-teaspoon aquarium salt to a one-gallon tank often helps with healing.

Constipation

One of the most common betta fish diseases is constipation. It causes death in betta fish if left untreated. An inappropriate diet of too many bloodworms, not enough variety, or overfeeding leads to betta fish constipation. The symptoms of a constipated betta fish are an enlarged, swollen stomach and little fish waste appears in the tank.

Treatment of betta fish constipation requires no medication but a simple diet change and fasting. To cure betta constipation, do not feed the fish for one to two days. After fasting, feed the betta fish a tiny piece of a peeled pea until the abdominal swelling decreases.

When the betta fish is having normal bowel movements, feed a variety of betta pellets, brine shrimp, and flake food. A couple pellets or flakes in the morning and at night are all betta fish require. Fast the betta fish once per week to allow its system to remain clear and prevent constipation.

Ich

A small parasite causes ich in betta fish. Stress caused by changing water temperature is the most common cause of ich and it is extremely contagious. The symptoms appear as tiny white dots covering the betta’s body. The betta will hold its fins tight to the body, stop eating, and start rubbing against ornaments in the tank.

Treat the entire fish tank if ich is present. Ich is usually fatal but if diagnosed and treated soon enough, it can be cured. Begin treatment by raising the water temperature to 85 degrees and change the water throughout the 14-day treatment period. Coppersafe, Maracide, and Aquarisol are the medications needed to treat ich. Continue the medication for the full two weeks even if the white spots disappear.

References:
Betta Fish Center: Betta Diseases
Healthy Betta: Fish Illness and Cure Information

Wellness Dog Food Review: Which Wellness Dog Food Is Right for Your Dog?

Wellness is a quality dog food containing natural, nutritious ingredients. Wellness is dedicated to providing pets with optimum nutrition in its simple solution products and core dog food diet. In a 2010 press release outlining Wellness dog food reviews, Dr. Shelly Rubin, the veterinarian used by Oprah for her own dogs, emphasized Wellness dog food as a nutritious pet food that is produced with “quality protein sources, wholesome grains, fruits and vegetables, and carefully chosen Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, with no wheat, corn or soy, and no added artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.”

Wellness Dog Food Company History

The Wellness dog food company was established over 80 years ago with the production of Old Mother Hubbard dog biscuits. Old Mother Hubbard began operations in Gloucester, MA baking sea biscuits for local sailors. After a seaman fed a dog one of the biscuits, the company began producing dog biscuits. Animal nutritionist, Jim Scott purchased the company in 1961, relocated it to Lowell, MA and dedicated the company to producing nutritious dog and cat foods under the trade name, Wellness.

Wellness Dog Food Products

Wellness dog food is available in a variety of products for every stage of your dog’s life, activity levels, dog size, health conditions, and preference for dry or canned dog food. Wellness dog snacks are also included in the product line.

Super 5 Mix – This Wellness dog food diet contains a balance of meat, grains and fruits providing necessary protein, carbs, and fat to your dog’s diet. Probiotics for digestive health, omega 6 and omega 3 are also added to the dog food. Wellness Super 5 Mix is available in these assorted varieties:

• Chicken
• Lamb, barley and salmon
• Whitefish and sweet potato
• Healthy weight for overweight dogs
• Just for puppy
• Seniors
• Large breed
• Large breed puppy
• Small breed

Wellness Core - The grain free product line that focuses on nutritious protein, and reducing fats and excessive carbohydrates. The core diet includes antioxidants, omega 6, and omega 3. It is considered an alternative to the “raw meat” diet, following the natural diet of wolves in the wild.
Wellness Core is available in the following varieties:

• Original recipe
• Ocean recipe
• Reduced fat
• Salmon, whitefish and herring
• Turkey, chicken, liver and turkey liver

Simple Food Solutions – This dog diet incorporates five ingredients that reduce allergic reactions in dogs including intestinal upset, infections, fur loss, itchiness, and skin problems caused by dog food additives. It is a complete, nutritious dog food diet for daily eating.
Wellness Simple Food Solutions in a variety of flavors:

• Rice and duck formula
• Rice and lamb formula
• Rice and salmon formula

Wellness Snacks – Quality dog snacks are also available from Wellness. The snacks are ideal as training treats for both adult dogs and puppies. All Wellness treats contain healthy ingredients and are available in grain free, soft or crunchy treats, and puppy formula.
Wellness dog food is available at most pet supply stores. The average cost of a 10 lb. bag of Wellness dry dog food is $27 to $30 and Wellness canned food averages $2.50 per can.

Summary

Although this dog food is expensive, Wellness dog food reviews indicate that the entire product line is produced with all natural, human grade ingredients, offering high quality nutrition for all dog breeds. If your dog suffers from allergies or you are looking for a balanced, nutritious dog food for your pet, Wellness dog food is an excellent choice.

Resources:

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/press_release.aspx?prId=43
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog-wellness.aspx
Image Credit:
Wellness Pet Food
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/product-details.aspx?pet=dog&pid=68

About Elbow Hygroma in Great Danes

Great Dane Elbow Hygroma

If your Great Dane has a large, fluid-filled sac on its elbow, it could be an elbow hygroma.  The sac actually protects the elbow of giant breed dogs by cushioning the bone.

How to Relieve Pressure on an Elbow Hygroma in Great Danes

What is the Large Sac on My Great Dane's Elbow?

My daughter's Great Dane, Odin, developed a fluid-filled sac on his elbow when he was about nine months old. The elbow growth started small, about the size of a grape and rapidly grew in size. Within a few months, the elbow sac on the Great Dane was the size of a baseball.

Odin's veterinarian diagnosed the growth on the dog's elbow as an "elbow hygroma". The sac looks very uncomfortable but it does not seem to bother Odin at all. The veterinarian said that the biggest danger about elbow hygromas in giant dogs is an infection if the hygroma breaks open.

According to a report from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, "The hygroma is a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by a dense wall of fibrous tissue. Hygromas are seen in young large or giant breeds of dogs (e.g., German shepherds, Great Danes, bull mastiffs, and Irish wolfhounds)." The reports goes on to say, "The condition is often seen in large or giant breeds of dog that tend to lie in sterna decumbency on unpadded surfaces, thus placing pressure on skin over the olecranons."

Cause of an Elbow Hygroma

The veterinarian explained that Great Danes are prone to hygromas because when they lay down on a hard surface, it puts pressure on the dog's elbow and the hygroma grows to offer protection to the elbow. Odin weighs 140 lbs. and when he lies down, he crashes to the floor with his entire weight on his elbows. The elbow hygroma developed on the dog's left elbow because he favors lying on that side.

How to Alleviate Pressure on a Great Dane' Elbow

My daughter tried the following methods to take the pressure of the elbow hygroma and found that using a combination of the methods works well for her dog.

1) Memory Foam - a four-inch memory foam mattress provided support and extra padding for the Great Dane's elbow. Keeping a memory foam mattress in each room gives the dog somewhere to lay down wherever he is. My daughter's kitchen has a ceramic tile floor so she always keeps the memory foam in the kitchen for Odin.
2) Overstuffed Sheepskin Bedding - an extra large sheepskin dog bed prevents unnecessary pressure on the dog's elbow, preventing any chafing or irritation to the hygroma. Odin has a sheepskin bed in his dog crate for a comfortable night's sleep.
3) Turning the Dog - If you notice your Great Dane lying on the side with the elbow hygroma, turn him to his other side. Odin is a very mild mannered dog, so my daughter can turn him without a problem.
4) Donut Shaped Elbow Padding - This method is effective if you can get your giant dog to keep it on the elbow. Roll up a soft towel or foam tube into a donut shape. Use an ace bandage to wrap the towel or tube to keep its shape. Place the donut hole over the elbow hygroma and attach the donut to your dog's elbow. The hardest part about using elbow padding is preventing the dog from pulling it off. Try different methods to attach the padding to your dog's elbow: rolled bandage, bandage tape, sports tape, ace bandage, or Velcro strips
5) Keep the Elbow Hygroma Clean - My daughter checks her Great Dane's hygroma a few times every day. It is difficult to notice a break in the hygroma through the dog's fur, so thoroughly check the area for any inflammation. Washing the elbow hygroma also prevents germs and bacteria from infecting the elbow area.

All of these methods to relieve pressure from an elbow hygroma help prevent infection from ulcers and ruptures.

Resources:
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
William Best, Jr., D.M.D., Foxboro Animal Hospital, Foxboro, MA
Personal Experience

Mat Work Calms Down Reactive Dogs

Does your dog react to people entering the house, dogs walking down the street, or children playing outside?  Consider training your excited dog to calm down by going to his mat.  Read these mat training tips and see how quickly your dog will calm down when you need him to.

Massive Snow Banks a Danger for Pets and Children

The unrelenting snow has not only reeked havoc for commuters, school attendance, the homeless, and homeowners but for pets, as well.  Huge snow banks pose a serious danger to pets and children.  Drivers cannot see around corners for people walking their dogs or children playing in the snow.

Find out how you can keep your pets and children safe this winter.

Dog Chiropractor's Really Do Help

Canine chiropractic services can really help a dog with spine, hip, and rear end problems.  A few minor chiropractic adjustments can make all the difference in a dog's gait and comfort.

The reason I believe in canine chiropractic adjustments is that my own dog benefited from two short visits with a chiropractor. 

Find out more about the benefits of animal chiropractic services.

Dogs Can Suffer from Alzheimer's Too

Does your senior dog have symptoms of Alzheimer's?  The canine version of Alzheimer's is known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.  If your dog is afflicted with this disorder, he will display symptoms that are very similar to people with Alzheimer's:





My 16 year old beagle


• disorientation
• depression
• confusion
• unable to recognize family members
• incontinence
• staring at walls
• not responding to affection
• develop compulsive disorders

If your elderly dog suffers from any of these symptoms, there are a few options for slowing down the affects of Alzheimer's in dogs.  Try a few of these doggie games and puzzles that help your dog exercise his brain and slow down brain disfunction.