Betta cyst - treatment options?

[jixie007]

Hi,

So, my female betta developed a giant lump, which seems to be a fluid filled cyst. I'm hoping to get suggestions / feedback on treatment options.

- I've had her since 6/2015. Tank is a 5 gallon NPT with 3 male endlers, 2 amano shrimo, Malaysian trumpet snails. Our tap water is hard, ph around 7.4 - 7.6. I also wrote another number "80", which I think is kh, but I didn't specify... sorry.

9/13: She developed the lump over the weekend, I first saw it that Monday. It's only on the left side. There was no open wound or sore. She was otherwise healthy, with normal behavior and appetite, good color. After doing some research, I found it could be a cyst (which could be a number of different bacterial infections), or tuberculosis, or a tumor. From what I could tell, there was nothing to be done for the latter. If it was an cyst, what I read was that it might resolve on it's own, or I could try and lance it, or try treating with antibiotics. 

Here's a picture:


Since she seemed otherwise healthy, I left things alone, and just monitored the situation. The cyst grew larger.

10/19: The cyst was now very large, to the point that it is causing physical difficulty. That said, she was still active, with good appetite and good color, no other obvious signs of illness (ex: no clamped fins). I aspirated the cyst with a syringe, removing .22cc of fluid. The cyst went down considerably, but was still about the size it was when it first appeared.

I did more research, and set up a hospital tank. The hospital tank is 10 gallons. No filter, so I've been using Seachem Prime and Stability along with daily 20% water changes. I've gradually mixed the water with RO/DI water (plus added some oak leaves) to bring down the hardness without being too stressful.

10/21: Started treating with Furan2, based on Carl's article on medications: "Nitrofurazone is also often effective for Aeromonas such as these symptoms: fish have blisters forming on the skin that are full of a clear to yellowish fluid". The article also said that it's not as effective in hard water, which is why I've been adjusting it.

There is a clear "bubble" on the lump, I think where it was lanced. The scales on the right side, directly opposite the cyst, are slightly raised (pinecone-ing), but I think it's because of the way her skin is being pulled on the left.

10/23: Cyst has gotten huge again, tried aspirating a second time. Unsuccessful, because I had her in a deep cup and it was difficult to reach + she was flopping around this time. Did manage to lance it, but it didn't look to seep.
- Water: Nitrates & Nitrites 0; ph 7.0; kh 40; gh between 60 - 120

10/24: Tried again to aspirate. This time on a damp cloth, with good access... wasn't able to get any fluid out. Added medicated wondershells (3 small) today.

Tomorrow is the last day of Furan2 and doesn't looked like it helped at all. Unfortunately the cyst has gotten huge again and is making it difficult for her to swim.

The next thing I was thinking of trying is a sulfa medication, TripleSulfa or MaracynPlus.

I'm not sure if I should try lancing/aspirating again. On the other hand, husband suggested nicking it open with a blade, which I'm not sure is a crazy or helpful idea.

Also I keep meaning to try a salt bath with epsom salts, but I keep forgetting. Honestly not sure how helpful it would be.

Again, any feedback or suggestions is appreciated. I will try to get some more current pics tomorrow.

Thanks!

[jixie007]

Ok, got a better picture, shows the "bubble" too.

[Carl]

Hi & welcome to Everything Aquatic!

Definitely not TB, but I think you are on the right path as per a cyst (although a tumor is still a possibility)

Furan 2 is not readily absorbed as per my Medications article (Part 2) so this would not likely work for this issue.

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication2.html#nitro

Triple Sulfa would be a better choice, along with the continued use of the Medicated Wonder Shells.

As long as she is eating, I would suggest a Fish Food Soak using Triple Sulfa (or Maracyn Plus) along with Metronidazole.

I also want to applaud you for your attempts to aspirate the cyst with a syringe, as while this did not help (at least that we know of), it often can help and is a worthwhile step to take in such situations.
I would also swab this area with Methylene Blue after the use of the syringe, or going forward still swab this area daily (or twice daily)

Resources:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/FritzMardelKordon.html#methylene
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumPharmaceuticalsAPI.html#sulfa
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/FritzMardelKordon.html#maracyn_plus
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#metronidazole

Carl

[jixie007]

Thank you Carl.

I've ordered the Triple Sulfa and Metronidazole.*

For the food soak... if I understand correctly: add food + full dose meds? + "thimbleful of water", soak 15 min, add water with full dose meds to tank = that is the tank treatment? and now food is medicated too.

* Plus some Matrix, because I realized when setting up the hospital tank, that in the main tank there's no filter media to borrow and the gravel cap isn't deep enough to take some without mucking up with substrate, so nothing to jump start the hospital tank with. I think I can stash some Matrix in the main tank for next time or if I set up another tank, ha.

I mean I got this extra heater now might as well put it to good use right?

It's not like I accidentally picked up another betta or anything

[devonjohnsgard]

Here's an article on how to soak the food. You can do it in a gallon or two worth of medication. I don't believe you pour the medication in the tank.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html#food_delivery

Best to have more cycled media... hahaha just in case for that extra tank you don't need.

[Carl]

Here are directions from the article:
"Generally a dose intended for 2-5 gallons of water treatment will work for a 15-30 minute fish food soak
For instance with Neomycin, this would mean .10 grams (or one measure) of the brand "SeaChem Neoplex" per each fish food soak twice per day (usually for 7-10 days)
Please see: "SeaChem Neomycin Aquarium Treatment""

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html#food_delivery

Carl

[jixie007]

Thanks, I don't know how I missed that, as many times as I've read those articles over the last couple weeks.

New meds came in today, will keep you guys updated.