Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fish hematology and associated disorders.
- Journal:
- The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Grant, Krystan R
- Affiliation:
- Colorado State University · United States
Plain-English summary
As fish become more popular as pets and in farming, their health is increasingly important. Taking care of fish can be different from caring for land animals, as it often requires special skills and tools due to their unique needs. One helpful way to assess fish health is through blood tests, which can be done without expensive equipment and can guide treatment decisions. However, there are challenges in collecting and analyzing blood samples from fish, such as safely handling them and drawing blood. This article discusses ways to overcome those challenges for both bony fish and cartilaginous fish.
Abstract
Fish health is a growing concern as pets, education, and aquaculture evolves. For the veterinary staff, fish handling, diagnostics, medicine, and surgery may require specialized training and equipment in comparison with terrestrial and arboreal animals, simply because of their aquatic nature and diversity. Fish hematology is one diagnostic tool that may not require additional equipment, may be inexpensive, and provide useful information in guiding treatment options. Challenges involving hematology may include handling and restraint, venipuncture, evaluation, and interpretation. In this article, strategies for these challenges are discussed for teleost (bony fish) and elasmobranch (cartilaginous fish) fish types.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25421028/