lump

[amanda]

Hi Guys
I have a koi that has now got a growth on its side it is growing quite fast how can i tell if its an abcess or cancerous.
other than the lump the fish is feeding and swimming normally if its an abcess can i drain it? or will that do more harm than good?

[Duncan]

hi Amanda if its an abscess yes you can drain it but a photo would be of real help here
you can slide a scalpel under a scale and put a very small cut and see if anything comes out failing that put a syringe into it and see if you can draw anything off

if you need a large gauge needle let me know

dunc

[amanda]

Hi Duncan
OK i will try to see if its an abscess it is causing the scales to raise up now but no sign of any sore area. this is a four year old and as usual one of my nice ones
I will try to take a photo and upload it but last time i tried it kept saying the image was too large.

[Duncan]

please do a picture is always better

dunc

[fisherman]

Hi Duncan
OK i will try to see if its an abscess it is causing the scales to raise up now but no sign of any sore area. this is a four year old and as usual one of my nice ones
I will try to take a photo and upload it but last time i tried it kept saying the image was too large.

Hi Amanda
Send me your phots and I will post them for you email petemarvell@blueyonder.co.uk
Pete

[fisherman]

Hi Amanda
Your photo that you wanted posted

[amanda]

Thanks Pete
as it shows its on the lower part of its body

[Duncan]

yes thats an abscess

you need to lance it or draw the fluid off with a syringe

easy enough to do
dunc

[amanda]

Hi Duncan
OK good i was worried that it was a tumor
I don't have a lance or any thing though

[Duncan]

just stick a scalpel under scales and turn it down slightly to put a tiny cut through the dermis see what comes out, or get a large gauge hypo and suck some stuff out
if you need one just holla ill send

dunc