Could this be Hikui ???

[Nancy M.]

A friend sent me these photo's of his Ogata Kohaku, he wants to know if this is Hikkui. If it is what can he do to treat it? He also asked if I thought if it would be better to just put it to sleep.

Since I received the pictures, I have talked to him, He sent the fish to University Of georgia to Vicki, she is going to run test on it to verify what it is and also to be able to tell him how it contracted Hikkui if that is what it is, from my understanding she will be able to determine what virus caused this... Has anyone heard of any test that can be done to determine what virus causes Hikkui? Is this a new medical break through?

After speaking to him, I suggested he contact JR or Thomas Blischok, I sure hope he followed my advice, as I think he may be seeking answers in the wrong direction.

[aquitori]

If Vicky found a cure for Hikkui she would be the Japanese Breeder's best friend. Anyways, for now there is NO known cure for Hikkui!!! The pic that Nancy posted of the Kohaku has Hikkui, get rid of it quick...

---edited---

I have no right to post others fish since my opinions are neither of a professional nor a breeder.

[aquitori]

Here is another example of Hikkui.

Pic was taken by Joe Devera.

[gspotmc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nancy M. A friend sent me these photo's of his Ogata Kohaku, he wants to know if this is Hikkui. If it is what can he do to treat it? He also asked if I thought if it would be better to just put it to sleep. Since I received the pictures, I have talked to him, He sent the fish to University Of georgia to Vicki, she is going to run test on it to verify what it is and also to be able to tell him how it contracted Hikkui if that is what it is, from my understanding she will be able to determine what virus caused this... Has anyone heard of any test that can be done to determine what virus causes Hikkui? Is this a new medical break through? After speaking to him, I suggested he contact JR or Thomas Blischok, I sure hope he followed my advice, as I think he may be seeking answers in the wrong direction.

NANCY,
Thanks for posting this photos of your friends Ogata kohaku. Those were the same problem that I have with my ogata collection whether it is a koahku, sanke or showa.
Michael

[Steve Nguyen]

man, you have good eyes. did you wear glasses that were made for James Bond 007 or what?

I know that showa. it's still look very nice. most, I hope you are wrong because I happen to like that showa very much.

Steve

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori If Vicky found a cure for Hikkui she would be the Japanese Breeder's best friend. Anyways, for now there is NO known cure for Hikkui!!! The pic that Nancy posted of the Kohaku has Hikkui, get rid of it quick...Here's an example of early stages of Hikkui...

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve Nguyen man, you have good eyes. did you wear glasses that were made for James Bond 007 or what? I know that showa. it's still look very nice. most, I hope you are wrong because I happen to like that showa very much. Steve

Steve, I retracked my post since I have no proof Hikkui on that particular fish. Then again what do I know, I know nothing and will not share anything anymore.

Late.

[Flounder]

Some correct me please if I'm wrong, I thought hikui was not contagious.

[KoiCop]

I've taken the liberty of providing here some extracts from a series of posts James Reilly made in a classic thread right here on Koi-Bito. By reading the entire thead, you can put these statements of his back into context.

Hikkui

JR 1 May 2007
http://www.koi-bito.com/forum/general-koi-forum/6168-koi-skin-problems.html

* The problem is no one really knows what hikkui is. And in all likelihood we are calling the 'symptom’ we see hikkui when it is probably a look that is given by several different causes.

* Finally we have hikkui. Once thought to be 'hi eating worm', it is now considered a virus, a rickettsia or skin cancer. And in fact different cases may be any one of these suspects.

* It is a disease but it can be triggered by environmental causes.

* The immune system is definitely involved as well and returning a koi to 'mud' will often suppress the disease but only for a while.

* I have removed hikkui and warts with cryosurgery with good success but the fish is disfigured to some degree as a result of the treatment. And some have has early success (must be early before the disease has destroyed dermis and epidermis) with billion liquid. The hair dryer is used with the liquid after the fish has been removed from the bowl and the area is cleaned and billion liquid applied. This dries out the liquid compound and adheres it to the cells. Another treatment is to place the fish in warm water (85 F) and manipulate KH. This is reported to be successful in 90% of early cases. This suggests a virus. But again, I believe that people are diagnosing a complex of diseases as hikkui so some things work for some, based on what it is- skin tumor, virus, rickettsia, skin infection, genetic weakness etc, and not for others.

* No, it's not that kind of disease. And contagion possibility has never been proven as part of this complex of symptoms. It may be viral or from even a tinier beast known as rickettsia. But it is the attraction to red cells (color cells that stores food) that is most interesting.

* So check your nitrate as that is just one parameter than aggravates the condition.

* In addition, some Japanese swear that hikkui is linked to certain lines and strains. And there is no doubt that sanke and kohaku get it far more often than any other breed.

* I have also noticed that koi that are moved from Japan’s relatively neutral pH and low mineral content (soft water) and placed in very hard water will often come down with hikkui at a younger age than the normal age group that this problem inflicts. Meanwhile in Japan, one technique for early cure is to place a koi in warm water and bring the KH way, way down.

* Hikkui, oddly enough, is not a health problem in terms of affecting the fish's appetite, life span, breeding interest or general immune response to other diseases. It is just disfiguring. Unfortunately.

[Sterling]

This was my fish and I donated it to UGA. I figured it was best for my pond population since no one really knows exactly what it is or if it’s contagious. Additionally, if they can do further research and help other hobbyist, then we all can benefit! Vicki seems to think that Hikui is a virus as it has virus characteristics.

Their pathologist plans to do electron microscopy and histology on the Kohaku. They were also going to take samples from the fish and try to grow the virus in cell culture. She explained that this could take more than 6 weeks to do. I’ll keep you posted when I hear more from Vicki.

Again I did this to try to help other hobbyist and to protect the rest of my pond population.

[smithvillemike]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sterling This was my fish and I donated it to UGA. I figured it was best for my pond population since no one really knows exactly what it is or if it’s contagious. Additionally, if they can do further research and help other hobbyist, then we all can benefit! Vicki seems to think that Hikui is a virus as it has virus characteristics. Again I did this to try to help other hobbyist and to protect the rest of my pond population.

I for one thank you.

Mike