Does too much medication slow the growth of koi?

[aquitori]

Does too much medication slow the growth of koi?

[saratogatan]

Don't know. But medication definately causes stress in koi. SOme human gain weight under stress, some los weights. don't know about koi's response to stress.

stan

[KoiCop]

Stan . . .

Here's a JR ramble on stress & the immune system in koi:

Nishikigoi International: Understanding the Immune System


Tony . . .

Are you talking about injections -- or something else?

[RayJordan]

I believe that any kind of medication sets back the growth and development of koi. Lots of data about koi that have a problem or an infection and as a result they didn't grow as much as they should.

Prevention is the key. Treat with medications only when really needed but as early and as specifically as possible. Injectable antibotics are especially hard and stressful on koi. Amount and frequency of dose and lenght of treatment is very high in the U.S. This can cause kidney and liver damage which will definately affect a koi's future.(IMO)

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Stan . . . Here's a JR ramble on stress & the immune system in koi: Nishikigoi International: Understanding the Immune System Tony . . . Are you talking about injections -- or something else?

Any kind of medication. I know there are hobbyist out there who dont have a QT. Instead of just treating the "New" fish in the QT pond, they treat the main pond everytime they get new fish with the established fish that have no problems.

[111whalen]

Any way to reduce stress on the fish is good.
Here are a few:
Avoid medications unless you know what you are dealing with.
Keep the population down in the pond.
Large enough filter for the pond-many closed systems are WAY overrated.
Feed good food!?
Change water.
Catch fish early if disease develops and try to figure it out.
Thats about it...

(No disease in my pond for the past 2 years)

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Does too much medication slow the growth of koi?

In a word...yes

[PapaBear]

I would think yes, virtually always.
Most medications are antibacterial agents of some sort, which will not only attack the disease organisms, but the gut flora as well which prevents proper digestion even under the best of water conditions. I can see medicating as a pond-wide shotgun going into winter and coming out again as a prophylaxis approach to prevention while vulnerable (done it myself without problems), but not to a warm, healthy pond.