To Save a Fish

by Head of Animal Care, Kit Thornton

Recently one of our 9 year old male rock greenlings appeared to have an acute issue with his eye. In consultation with Dr. Collis of Glenview Animal Hospital, it was recommended we remove the eye in order to improve the health and lifespan of the fish. Fish can have an excellent quality of life with a single eye.

The surgery was performed at our Centre by Dr. Collis and our Animal Care Team. The greenling was put under anesthesia, a nerve block applied around the area and the eye was removed through a procedure called enucleation. After an injection of pain medication, the greenling was woken up and placed in recovery.

One week post surgery the eye socket had healed and the fish was weaned off pain control and returned to the company of other fish. Lab tests on the eye confirmed a diagnosis of cancer. It is likely the tumor will return however until then, the greenling is able to live comfortably and pain free with the Animal Care Team closely monitoring his health and welfare.

We are proud to share this surgery will form a case study to further the knowledge around greenling anesthesia and medical care.

Special thanks to Dr. Collis and Glenview Animal Hospital.