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Irregular News for 12.09.05
LIFE in a fishbowl often drives celebrities to cosmetic surgery, but treating this patient was no small-scale operation.
Lucky the comet goldfish underwent the procedure last week to remove six unsightly tumours that had grown over his scales.
Lucky underwent a half-hour operation. Although the tumours were benign, Lucky's owners at Kellyville Pets volunteered him for the surgery when Melbourne vet Dr Jim Greenwood visited to train the staff in aspects of fish care.
The surgery, which took about 35 minutes, would normally cost about $150. The operation on Lucky was undertaken through a process of gill irrigation, said Kellyville Pets aquarium supervisor Michael Chiappazzo. This involved administering an anaesthetic through a tube in Lucky's mouth as water circulated through his gills, ensuring he was kept alive while out of the water.
Mr Chiappazzo said tumours are commonly found in older fish like 10-year-old Lucky.
"Goldfish can live until they're 20 years old and owners become attached to them just like any other pet," he said.
"It isn't uncommon for people to seek vet treatment for their fish."
The cosmetic procedure is so popular that Dr Greenwood performs up to 60 operations each year to fix aesthetic flaws on pet fish in Victoria and NSW.
"Performing operations in front of aquarium staff and veterinary science students helps to educate them about potential health problems and diseases of fish," Dr Greenwood said.
"Lucky is now the centre of attention in the shop.
"We have fixed up a nice tank for him and he's on display and swimming around happily.
"We have a little sign telling the customers about Lucky's story and it always gets a good reaction.
"We might move him into the ponds later, but for now he's very popular," he said.
Full Story
LIFE in a fishbowl often drives celebrities to cosmetic surgery, but treating this patient was no small-scale operation.
Lucky the comet goldfish underwent the procedure last week to remove six unsightly tumours that had grown over his scales.
Lucky underwent a half-hour operation. Although the tumours were benign, Lucky's owners at Kellyville Pets volunteered him for the surgery when Melbourne vet Dr Jim Greenwood visited to train the staff in aspects of fish care.
The surgery, which took about 35 minutes, would normally cost about $150. The operation on Lucky was undertaken through a process of gill irrigation, said Kellyville Pets aquarium supervisor Michael Chiappazzo. This involved administering an anaesthetic through a tube in Lucky's mouth as water circulated through his gills, ensuring he was kept alive while out of the water.
Mr Chiappazzo said tumours are commonly found in older fish like 10-year-old Lucky.
"Goldfish can live until they're 20 years old and owners become attached to them just like any other pet," he said.
"It isn't uncommon for people to seek vet treatment for their fish."
The cosmetic procedure is so popular that Dr Greenwood performs up to 60 operations each year to fix aesthetic flaws on pet fish in Victoria and NSW.
"Performing operations in front of aquarium staff and veterinary science students helps to educate them about potential health problems and diseases of fish," Dr Greenwood said.
"Lucky is now the centre of attention in the shop.
"We have fixed up a nice tank for him and he's on display and swimming around happily.
"We have a little sign telling the customers about Lucky's story and it always gets a good reaction.
"We might move him into the ponds later, but for now he's very popular," he said.
Full Story
