Help with betta?? :(

[flamepony12]

I need help for Harold!

He is starting to look bulgy towards the front, and there is quite a bit of uneaten food at the bottom of his bowl. Could this be dropsy? Would he be able to get better with proper care? Any help greatly appreciated

Devon

[K9soul]

Are the scales along his sides standing out any? That would be a tell tale sign of dropsy. It could be he's just constipated too though. I'd clean up his water and get any uneaten food out of there (it causes ammonia levels to rise), and then if you can get some peas, cook a few peas in some water in the microwave. Take a pea, mash it up a bit, and see if he will eat that. It's a natural source of fiber and if he's just constipated, it will help him pass his stool.

Other than that, I'd not feed him for a couple days until he's looking better, and avoid feeding him more than he'll eat afterwards. A varied diet (frozen brine shrimp and blood worms) along with pellets can help prevent it as well.

If it is dropsy, you can try getting something like Maracyn-2 to treat it, but the prognosis for it is not often very good. I hope you are able to help him and that it isn't dropsy.

[flamepony12]

Yes, they are standing out a bit..

We'll clean his bowl now and see if it helps at all. He's also making a bubble nest.. Is that a good thing?

Should I still try the peas?

[K9soul]

I'd go ahead and try the peas after you change his water, it can't hurt. If he's making a bubble nest it's hard for me to think it's dropsy, I would think he'd be rather listless, but I suppose it's possible. If it is dropsy and he is still bubblenesting, it's a good sign that it's in the early stages and you might be able to treat it. Usually they completely stop eating when it's dropsy too, so if he just won't even eat at all, I'd move on to trying some Maracyn-Two.

[flamepony12]

Thank you so much for your help, Jess. We'll try everything we can.

*edit* we also have Medi-gold, is that good? We'll try to get the Maracyn too, but I was just curious..

[luvofallhorses]

I have no advice for you but *****hugs******* Get well soon sweetheart!

[LuvGold00]

I've never heard of Medi-gold. I've heard wonderful thinks about Maracyn though, what size tank is Harold in? Is there anyway you can up the temp of the tank to 80 while you medicate?

Hope he's feeling better soon!

[flamepony12]

Originally posted by SunKissedGoldens
I've never heard of Medi-gold. I've heard wonderful thinks about Maracyn though, what size tank is Harold in? Is there anyway you can up the temp of the tank to 80 while you medicate?

Hope he's feeling better soon!

Right now he's in a large bowl, so I don't think we can change the temp.

[kittycats_delight]

That sounds like bloat and if it is you can help him if it isn't too far advanced with bettamax. Most all pet stores carry it. My betta got bloat and we were too late to save him. You will need to act quickly and get the meds fast. Make sure you speak to the fish specialist at your pet store and tell them his symptoms as maybe now there is a better med than bettamax. Once they get bloat it won't be long if it goes untreated before it will take their little lives. Good Luck

[LuvGold00]

Originally posted by flamepony12
Right now he's in a large bowl, so I don't think we can change the temp.

I would see if you can put his bowl on a heating pad with some towels, that would get the heat up. You'll need to know how much water the bowl holds in order to medicate properly, so when you change his water (if you haven't already) see if you can measure it. And I'd get a thermometer if you don't have one already.
I'll be thinking of him!

[flamepony12]

Originally posted by SunKissedGoldens
I would see if you can put his bowl on a heating pad with some towels, that would get the heat up. You'll need to know how much water the bowl holds in order to medicate properly, so when you change his water (if you haven't already) see if you can measure it. And I'd get a thermometer if you don't have one already.
I'll be thinking of him!

We don't have a heating pad, and we JUST changed his water. Poor guy!!!!

[LuvGold00]

Originally posted by flamepony12
We don't have a heating pad, and we JUST changed his water. Poor guy!!!!

Maybe you can put him under a desk lamp or something? I can't think of anything else, I guess all you can do is get to the Petshop and start medicating him ASAP.

[flamepony12]

Originally posted by SunKissedGoldens
Maybe you can put him under a desk lamp or something? I can't think of anything else, I guess all you can do is get to the Petshop and start medicating him ASAP.

He is currently under a desk lamp.

Unfortuantely, it's 8:06 PM, and I'm pretty sure all pet stores are closed.. I'll check though. I hope there's SOMETHING I can do to save him!

[LuvGold00]

Do you have any aquarium salt? You can add a pinch or so of that.
I'd get right to the petshop in the morning!

[flamepony12]

Yes, we do! We'll put a pinch in right now.

We also crushed up some medigold, and he ate a little bit!! Hopefully he has a chance!

Prayers for Harold would be GREATLY appreciated, everyone. He's more than just a fish. We've had him for a long time.