Fish Poisoning Update

Because of the high number of fish poisoning patients brought to the clinic last December we decided it would be a good idea to remind the community once again about the dangers of feeding their pets fish from the lagoon.

Fish poisoning has been one of the most frequently addressed topics in EHF's animal health care education program. The illness and how to avoid it has been discussed in newspaper columns, articles, on television, radio, in school presentations and in our animal care pamphlets. Still, Rarotonga animals continue to suffer from this debilitating and potentially lethal illness.

Most recently, in January, the local television news ran a spot highlighting some of the victims that we were caring for and we talked about the effects of the disease and how it can be prevented. That piece was followed by a more in depth and longer program that discussed the effects of fish poisoning on animals and humans. We are now working toward creating a public service spot for the island's only radio station with a goal of reaching an even wider audience.

The number of fish poisoning patients has decreased from 20 in December to four in February. I don't know if the decline is because our message reminded people not to feed their animals fish from the lagoon or if the algae thought to be responsible for the toxin that leads to the fish poisoning is at lower levels, but it is a relief to see fewer fish poisoning patients admitted to the clinic.

The three cases currently being treated are all cats (which is a little unusual as we tend to see to more dogs). Blackie (black and white), Esther (tabby) and Robert (ginger) are all at various stages of recovery. Blackie, who has been with us the longest, is up in his feet but still not eating on his own. Esther who came in about a week after Blackie can't even lift herself up off the ground and is still generally very "floppy". Robert, on the other hand is very stiff, and when he's not literally sitting on his head, which I've caught him doing twice now, he eats very well. He just needs to get up on those feet of his.

A lot of volunteer time is required just to make sure these patients are getting enough food, water and exercise. Each patient receives significant attention from our clinic team but it is also the loving owners who come by to visit their pets while they are here recuperating that helps the animal improve.

The complete elimination of fish poisoning cases may only occur when (and if) the toxin and disease process becomes completely understood but until then, the number of cases can be diminished by not feeding reef fish to pets. We will continue to be here for those animals who do get sick and offer our support to the animal and to the community. A big thanks goes out to all the skilled and caring volunteers who have spent so much time helping these patients to get well and return to their families.

We have seen a disheartening rise in the number of car accident victims, but that's a topic for a later post!

In the pictures we have, from top to bottom, Robert, Esther and Blackie (almost escaping now that he's better). The video below is from about a month and a half ago and shows a couple of dogs that we had in with fish poisoning. Casper, the white puppy, was found on our property late one evening with fish poisoning. He was still a little bit wobbly when he left. Toto, an old dog with a blind eye, took a good amount of time to get better as well. He had a really hard time getting his legs back. And as for the last dog, Dags, he was with us for more than two months with bed sores on both of his hips. I was really happy to see him go home. I have another dog which just came in recently whose name is Rocko, but he's hardly moving, hardly breathing. Once he's up on his feet I'll show you what it's like when they walk.