Differing topical treatments and their uses??

[greg]

All,

In this hobby of many roads we all hear / have differing opinions and i would like to hear thoughts / opinons and facts about the above subject. I was with a hobbyist yesterday who was helping a fellow club member out by treating a couple of koi for him.

His choice of topical treatment was Gentian Violet - reason being that he felt it was the best. Now it seems there are quite a few options out there and some are listed below.

Gentian Violet
Mercurochrome
Malachite green
Iodine based (inc:- videne, betadine etc etc)
Ozone gel

I am sure there are others but do the various topicals fit into a "reason" for using a certain topical. Such as on a second treatment when you want to be less aggressive due to the healing beginning etc.

Then there is the subject of sealers - wet ones / dry ones etc etc

Lock and seal
Lock and seal plus
Friars Balsam
Orahesive Powder

Again what is the best practice with these and any specific circumstances of use?

[tomy2ponds]

Hi I would use Gentian Violet Duncan's MFR1 for fin and mouth rot and Mercurochrome as a topical for ulcers wounds and seal with Duncan's lock and seal plus.I sometimes add Orahesive Powder on top of the lock and seal belt and braces approach.for minor rubs scrapes I would use iodine or Iosal.Diluted MG also works for fin rot and bacterial infections on the exterior of the koi body.Once the healing is well under way a gentle clean with Roccol wound cleaner then topical treatments as necessary.For really bad infections or ulcers it may be necessary to clean with HP 3% first.this would be my choices.

[Gazza]

Hi Greg,

Pretty much the same as Lee to be honest and i only use Duncan's stuff (have done for many years now) none other as i have found it out performs anything i have used in the past.

Gentian Violet (MFR1) for any tail,fin or mouth rot issues.

Mercurochrome would be my personal choice when treating topically once the wound is cleaned up.

Lock and seal plus always to seal off once the topical treatment is dry.

Orahesive Powder I use this to seal if its a bad wound if i really need to seal it.

[Geoff9]

Hi Greg
I used this in a Koi's mouth 4 years back only did it once and it cleared the problem up.

Regards Geoff

[greg]

Thanks Guys,

I use Dunc's stuff also - but wondered if there were specific uses for things and also if there were varying degree's on strength in these products. As to my mind i wouldn't want to use an "aggressive" topical on a second round of treatment if the wound was showing signs of healing.

Any thoughts on the various topical treatments and the strength of them?

[tomc]

Pretty much the same.

Gentian Violet for aroud the fins and mouth, but after using cauteriser (or HP).

Iodine for scale damage that isn't clearing up itself (I'm definitely in the "leave alone" camp now-a-days that I have confidence in the pond systems themselves) but after a good clean up. I don't seal but personal choice.

If serious then I'd get out the mecurochrome out, and seal.

Tom

[Gazza]

Hi Greg,

OK i think i see where your coming from are you wondering if one is a bit to harsh for treating a certain wound ?

One thing i did find a long while back that some of the so called lets say named brands were IMO very poorly mixed/cut and i found them far to weak when treating and it was as if you couldn't get enough on the wound but it was still to clear if that makes sense.

I also found a lot of the sealers where absolute rubbish and would literally fall of minutes after the fish hitting the water which is of no use whatsoever

I have found that if its hard to get of your hands then it normally works well