2. 2023

Why not use formalin in cold water?

Coldwater formalin

There’s no decent reason. 100 years ago some asshole wrote that formalin will settle to the bottom in ice cold water.

Which is actually true, it will stratify if you leave it in a vial under test circumstances. But the concept is that it would create hot spots on the bottom of the pond, except that there’s usually at least some circulation to keep that *theoretical* event from happening. I wouldn’t spend a moment worrying about it. 

HOWEVER

If you are applying the formalin into water, that is below 40, and it clouds as soon as it hits the water, it’s not going to work, because it is forming paraformaldehyde, which, in the big scheme of things is no big deal, except that the cold water has deactivated that particular formalin recipe.

Also, paraformaldehyde is toxic to fish. Twice as toxic as regular formalin but it’s not going to kill a whole Pond. 

Most commercial preparations the formalin has been buffered to prevent that.  

For what it’s worth, because of high oxygen tensions not available in summer: I love formalin in cool water.  

Why not use your first name, especially if you practice at Kissy vet.

Dear Dr. Johnson,

Have you ever thought about referring to yourself as Dr. Erik? Using just your first name? Perhaps it would be less intimidating to customers with white coat syndrome.

Answer:

It crosses my mind very briefly. But the problem with it is that it’s “cutesy” . It’s like naming your clinic “Dancing Cats With Balloons”. Or “Kissy Vet”. It lacks medical validity. And you might say, “wow that’s going a little far“ but no. You can’t search out a veterinarians credentials or license by their first name. So if I called myself, “Dr. Chad”, it would really be hard for a conscientious, consumer to “check me out“ before you brought your beloved pet to me.

Now, more than ever, with the advent of extremely relaxed licensing, the necessary importation of veterinarians, who were educated in Bangladesh, and  Bulgaria, (if at all), and veterinarians running shot clinics in disgrace on card tables at pet stores, putting needle to skin without a previous medical history to refer to, in practical anonymity. Calling yourself, Dr. Brian, is really just diversion. 

In the final analysis, I think if I am not soothing enough in my demeanor and mannerisms, to take the edge off a name like Erik Johnson, (I don’t wear a white coat by the way) I might need to change work. Lol. It’s a very good question. Thank you for asking. And if you want to call me, Dr. Erik, that’s fine. I’ve been called worse! Lol. 

You can practically call me whatever you want, I don’t have the ego to insist on “doctor” in front of my name, but I will continue to use my full name everywhere you see it in print ads or interviews, because I am proud of the work it took to get where I am, I’m proud of my degree and I’m proud of my licensing. 

Lyme’s Disease in Cats: Can Felines Contract Lyme’s Disease?

Lyme disease is probably not a concern for cat owners. Although the bacteria that cause
Lyme disease is capable of infecting cats, the disease has never been seen in a cat outside
of a laboratory setting. However, because Lyme is potentially quite severe and is common
among humans and dogs, it is wise to know how the disease is transmitted and what the
signs of infection are in your pets.

pdf icon Lyme-Disease-In-Cats.pdf

Fish and Pet Health Information Websites with Original Pet Help Content

Consultation on South American fish

Checkboxes

Freshwater Fish

Size of system in gallons

180

Water Changes

1x week 25-30% water is clean, no gravel

Stocking Density in Inches of Fish

5 denticulata piranha @ 7″ and 4 tiger silver dollars @ 4″

Type(s) of filtration

2 aquaclear 110, one fluval wavemaker

Did you get any new fish? Did you quarantine them?

All my fish came directly from the Amazon River to my tanks in Canada

So, What's Going On?

First of all I went to school with a friend Don G. who is from and lives in Marietta GA!!!

I have kept piranhas for many years. I have a school who had black dots on them from the time I received them. Years before I remember black dots on my old school that I don't remember causing problems. I have had this school for about a year and a half. They are healthy, eating but recently they have been flashing much more than “normal”. I really don't see anything but a few black spots that I thought were kinda always there, if anything the black spots are better. Looks like some raised spots sort of small blisters if you look real close. I've noticed 2 other tanks flashing now too! One tank is exodons, the other some big Pygos. I've salted for 5 days so far at 0.03 still flashing but less ?

Live Plants? Invertebrates?

None of the abov

There are possibilities for those black dots and you’re right, they would be harmless without a snail and a wading bird to finish their lifecycle.

It’s also possible with new fish that you got some thing like a minor, genetic trematode into the collection such as gyrodactylis or dactylogyrus would be my guess.

That’s a harmless theory to test because I will send you a link to a medication and exactly how to use it to clear it up, safely. And if you’re still having the problem in four or five days then we have to think about other possibilities. All the fish you’re talking about have a tendency to be sensitive to certain medication’s. 

https://amzn.to/3Jtn338

https://drjohnson.com/praziquantel-doesnt-work-anymore-against-flukes/

https://amzn.to/3Jtn338

https://drjohnson.com/praziquantel-doesnt-work-anymore-against-flukes/

Consultation on South American fish

Checkboxes

Freshwater Fish

Size of system in gallons

180

Water Changes

1x week 25-30% water is clean, no gravel

Stocking Density in Inches of Fish

5 denticulata piranha @ 7″ and 4 tiger silver dollars @ 4″

Type(s) of filtration

2 aquaclear 110, one fluval wavemaker

Did you get any new fish? Did you quarantine them?

All my fish came directly from the Amazon River to my tanks in Canada

So, What's Going On?

First of all I went to school with a friend Don G. who is from and lives in Marietta GA!!!

I have kept piranhas for many years. I have a school who had black dots on them from the time I received them. Years before I remember black dots on my old school that I don't remember causing problems. I have had this school for about a year and a half. They are healthy, eating but recently they have been flashing much more than “normal”. I really don't see anything but a few black spots that I thought were kinda always there, if anything the black spots are better. Looks like some raised spots sort of small blisters if you look real close. I've noticed 2 other tanks flashing now too! One tank is exodons, the other some big Pygos. I've salted for 5 days so far at 0.03 still flashing but less ?

Live Plants? Invertebrates?

None of the abov

There are possibilities for those black dots and you’re right, they would be harmless without a snail and a wading bird to finish their lifecycle.

It’s also possible with new fish that you got some thing like a minor, genetic trematode into the collection such as gyrodactylis or dactylogyrus would be my guess.

That’s a harmless theory to test because I will send you a link to a medication and exactly how to use it to clear it up, safely. And if you’re still having the problem in four or five days then we have to think about other possibilities. All the fish you’re talking about have a tendency to be sensitive to certain medication’s. 

https://amzn.to/3Jtn338

https://drjohnson.com/praziquantel-doesnt-work-anymore-against-flukes/

https://amzn.to/3Jtn338

https://drjohnson.com/praziquantel-doesnt-work-anymore-against-flukes/

Getting a dog to take a pill

One of my customers bought this particular gravy, and crushed his dogs pills and put them in this gravy and stirred it up, and the dog licks it right up. Before that, she was impossible to make the pills go down. I thought I would throw this out there as a possibility for people with difficult dogs to pill. 

University of Georgia is Having the Annual Fish Medicine Course Again!

As soon as we got the date, we are posting. It's going to be Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th in 2024. 
Dr Stephen Divers is heading this up and has enlisted Vicki Vaughan, Dr. Erik Johnson, Dr Chad Bishop and hopefully additional, experienced talent from across the country! 
We'll provide even more details as they're available, right now we're narrowing down nearly fifty different subjects and disciplines from Koi to Walleye – from parasites to water reuse. Nutrition and an update on KHV and possibly details on CNGV (Sleeping Sickness Virus) 
Dedicated to the Management & Health of Koi and Other Species
Taught by UGA Faculty, Veterinarians and Industry Recognized Experts
vetmed_fishhealthclass2023 (1).jpeg

Identifying healthy versus sick fish; preventative therapies; common health issues and treatments;
updates on koi herpesvirus; pond technologies and construction; filtration and water reuse technology;
water quality; advances in nutrition; parasites; advanced veterinary topics and more.
For more details….
vet.uga.edu/event/koi-health-symposium
Email: vetmedce@uga.edu