VC2016: Buoyancy disorders of goldfish

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In veterinary practice, buoyancy disorders are common in goldfish, often having a sudden onset and present floating at the surface or lying on the bottom. In my review of 47 goldfish cases in 2007, there were almost equal numbers of short-bodied and long-bodied goldfish. In many cases, there were no external lesions and no consistent environmental factors could be identified. Radiography was performed in 41 fish and proved the most useful investigative approach. Several radiographic abnormalities were found including over-inflation (44%), displacement (22%), fluid accumulation (12%) and rupture (2%) of the swim bladder and intestinal tympany (6%). Post mortem and histological examinations were performed on 34 goldfish: findings included systemic granulomatous disease (24%), abnormal fluid in the swim bladder (22%), polycystic kidney disease (18%) and several other internal diseases (22%). However, 16% of goldfish had no identifiable pathology and no consistent radiographic features. Most cases were euthanased on initial examination due to advanced disease but a quarter were treated conservatively. There was a very poor response to treatment and several environmental, medical and surgical approaches are discussed. Since that review, I have examined further cases in an attempt to refine my approach to this common problem.