Septicemia

(sep-tih-SEE-mee-uh)

Blood poisoning

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•Symptoms

-Red patches or ulcers

-Lethargy

-Loss of appetite

-Erratic swimming

-Hemorrhages (bleeding)

-Rapid breathing

-Cloudy eyes or fin rot

-Internal bleeding or swollen abdomen

Could also be:

cut/scrape

If there are other symptoms listed above. It’s most likely septicemia

Basic info

Illness:

Bacterial

Sometimes viral (viruses) or fungal

Infects:

Fresh and salt vertebrates and invertebrates

Treatment:

Hospital tank

In some cases, it might be better to treat the whole tank. It depends on what’s causing the septicemia.

The bacteria that cause septicemia are almost always present.

They only become a problem when the animals immune systems are compromised, allowing the bacteria to attack.

Cause:

•

•Stress

Stress can weaken the immune system, opening the body for issues.

Stressful conditions:

-aggressive tank mates

-poor water quality

-low oxygen

-improper diet


•


Poor water quality can lead to stress. Stress can take down the immune system.

•Poor water quality

Cure:

•

•How to prevent

-Keep good water quality

-Keep a stress-free environment

•How to help

-Keep stress to a minimum e.g tannins

-Up aeration if poor

-Maintain good water quality and proper maintenance

.

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•

•Kanamycin

Any tank

Medications:

Kanamycin blocks the bacteria’s ability to produce essential proteins. This eventually kills the bacteria.

•

•Erythromycin

Hospital tank

Medications:

Erythromycin stops bacteria from multiplying. Its a broad spectrum antibacterial medication that treats both gram-positive and gram-negative.

Deep dive

Cause:

Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Edwardsiella, Streptococcus, and Flavobacterium bacteria.

Septicemia vs sepsis

Septicemia is a specific condition where pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungus) are present and actively multiplying in the blood.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition when the immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking the body’s own tissues and organs.

It’s important to catch septicemia early to prevent it from becoming sepsis.