How far would you go?

[mitche8359]

First off, I'm not some insensitive clod. Whew glad that's out in the open.

I was scanning the TV channels and came across Animal Planet. An "emergency" type show was on, this time regarding koi. From what I could tell, the medical team had sedated a koi and took xrays of the fish. First off, it's neat to know that can be done.

I didn't watch the show long enough to find out what was wrong with the koi, but surgery was being discussed.

My first reaction was I couldn't believe the money that was being invested in the fish. That fish was being treated better than most humans. My next reaction was if it was our dog I might be doing the same thing, Xrays, the whole 9 yards.

So I'm tryingt o figure out if koi are that valuable, or if someone was fanatic about a pet?

Tom

Some Koi literally cost thousands. Maybe it was a very vauable breeder fish, certain bloodlines in Koi are as important as fancy-schmancy dog show dogs.

Nothing wrong with that, just not for me. Would have liked to see that show though, just for curiosity.

Koi don't fit my pond design, (they eat or root up most all plants) and we have predatory birds in my area, so i stick with el-cheapo goldfish! I have no fish in my ponds that cost more than one dollar!

[mitche8359]

As the examination finished, they put the koi back into a bag of water from the pond that the fish came from. The amazing thing is that the bag was in a rectangular box that was not much larger than the fish itself. The fish was a bood 18" long or there abouts.

[Thaiboxer]

I've seen some amazing Koi - I'd like to have a pond with 'em, but not yet... need a bigger yard!

[jasonit]

I would only elect to treat a fish, in that situation, if it were a very valuable breeder or something along those lines. I love fish, love keeping them, but the reality is they are not like higher animals. They don't have the capacity for higher level brain function as say, dogs and cats. Now, I think we should do everything within our power to make them comfortable and content. But if a fish is suffering to the point that it cannot be cured at home, I think it should be euthanized. Personally I wouldn't take a fish to the vet, I just couldn't justify the cost. If a fish dies, I am disappointed, sometimes frustrated, but never distraught or upset. They are just fish after all.