Stubborn DP IPs!

[kcartwright856]

All is going well with my Pimafix/Melafix treatment after I lost one of my DPs so suddenly, but I have another concern.

The rest of my girlies have developed these gorgeous round tummies in the nearly two weeks since I've had them and treated for IPs, but the nasties inside of one of my girls just won't surrender! Her belly isn't very pinched. It's only slight, but it never gets full. Her feces appears intermittently normal. One bowel movement will be skinny, but a healthy brown, but then the next will be the white, wispy and clumpy IP feces.

I've been feeding her both bloodworms and blackworms soaked overnight in one cup of tank water, one teaspoon of crushed garlic (and the garlic juice that it is packed in), and 1/4 of a Jungle parasite fizz tablet per "batch". I don't think it's a matter of the medicine not getting into her. She acts normally. She's curious and she hunts the worms down that I offer to her in the feeding tongs. I can't say that I've ever seen her eat an entire one, but she picks at them and does seem to get a bit of the meat in her. She'll often leave most of the bloodworm casing, but I know that's not out of the ordinary.

Should I try using more of the tablet per cup of water to perhaps make the worms more concentrated? I want to see her kick these IPs to the curb and have a cute, healthy tummy like her sisters.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Pufferpunk]

Are you sure the others aren't just getting all the food before her?

[bertie 83]

+1 I always found it difficult to feed multiple dps without the aggressors getting most the food. I used to put one in a breeder box to be fed separately.

[kcartwright856]

Yes, I'm certain. I have her in a breeder box so that I can feed her separately and make sure that her feces is contained.

I should have specified that! I separated her... 5 days ago, I believe. My tank log is downstairs but I'm pretty sure that's correct. I'll check tomorrow. 5 days of individual treatment surely should have least gotten rid of the pinch if not round her belly a bit, not? Should I be worried?

As I said, she doesn't behave abnormally (side from not being a pig), but I'm certain that she is indeed still infected. I want her to get the nutrition she needs.

What should be my next step?

[bertie 83]

Keep feeding medicated food if you believe ip's are still present, make sure they all get medicated food tho

[kcartwright856]

100% medicated food, yes. I wonder if there is a way to get her to eat more. Maybe I could try other frozen foods that I've been meaning to get as treats to mix up the fish menu every now and again. Or, since my girls really love snails (duh), I was wondering about crushing a few to marinate in the medicine and see if she'd be more interested in that.

Any thoughts about 1/4 tab per cup of water? Can/should it be more concentrated to half of a tab, since she eats so peckishly? I'm just so worried about getting enough medicine in her tummy.

I'm a paranoid mother. God help me.

[bertie 83]

Multiple daily feedings, as often as she will eat, I think 1/2 tab per cup would be fine, but please wait for someone more in the know to confirm.

[kcartwright856]

Aye, aye! I'll prepare tomorrow's batch with 1/4 tab until the jury is in.

Thanks, Bert.

[bertie 83]

No worries. Pp should be about within the next hour or two if you can hold for a little while

[kcartwright856]

I might be leaving shortly to go visit my folks for the weekend, but I'll magnet a baggie with the other 1/4 tablet to the fridge so that the husband can drop it in the marinade if it's a go.

I have handy written instructions in the drawer of the tank stand, should I perish or fall into a coma and be unable to care for the fish. I told you I'm paranoid.

I also gave live demonstrations to my entire extended family.

I remember once, I was in the hospital, and all I was worried about was someone going to make sure that my rats got their veggies.

[kcartwright856]

My husband is in charge of the tank this weekend and is doing wonderfully with the directions I left him with!

Still wondering if anyone else has thoughts on the 1/2 tab per cup of water dosage, up from 1/4 tab. She doesn't seem to be eating a whole lot, so I'd love to get more medicine in her if it would help.

[puffykid]

I could be mistaken but I don't believe adding in the extra 1/4 will help speed up the ip removal because your adding in quantity and not increasing the concentration. Once the food soaks in a certain amount of medicine it won't absorb anymore, you can try and add garlic guard to try and get the individual to eat more, or try starving for a few days.

ps could be wrong.

[bertie 83]

I think you are right but wrong at the same time if that makes sense lol. The food will only hold so much water, however the concentration of meds in the water would obviously differ.

[kcartwright856]

My husband just called to check in and said that she isn't eating anything. I asked if he was sure, and he said that she hasn't even been touching the worms. I'm headed back home in the next hour or so and see for myself. Hopefully she hasn't gotten any skinnier or been acting odd.

I wonder if I need to use more garlic to cover the medication taste, or if finding a yummier food would help. I'll make a few calls to see if any shops on my way home have some treats.

[bertie 83]

More garlic will help. Fresh garlic is best