When you think veterinary care for fish–the household aquarium probably comes to mind. But aquatic veterinary medicine goes beyond goldfish and angel fish. Not that people don’t love their goldfish…they do and will bring them to a knowledgeable veterinarian for health issues such as treatment of wounds or when they are not feeling well. When it comes to fish medicine, also think koi–these colorful Japanese carp are very popular and for the serious collector, a koi with the right coloration and markings can cost as much as $50,000. Koi have been brought in to Pet Care Veterinary Hospital for health assessments and treatment and consultation for problems with backyard koi ponds are requested now and then.
Then there are state and federal fish hatcheries that have been used to raise fish in order to replenish public fisheries since at least the 1870s. And what about fish farms that raise catfish, salmon and tilapia for our dinner tables and restaurants? These industries need veterinary care and proficiency as well. Perhaps more focused on overall pond population or ‘heard’ health, veterinarians are needed to help figure out and control disease outbreaks and outline disease prevention programs.
As you can see aquatic veterinary medicine is in demand. Another career path within veterinary medicine and another example of the variety of animals serviced by those working in this amazing field.
Peter G Fisher, DVM
From the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association
August 1, 2010 vol. 237(3)
Few, except those veterinarians geeting involved in aquatic veterinary medicine, realize this is perhaps the fastest growing discipline within the profession. Clients seeking veterinarians involved with pet/ornamental and commercial aquaculture (farmed seaffod) is growing exponentially.
There are some useful sources of information for veterinarians and clients:
http://www.AquaVetMed.info contains Directories of Aquatic Veterinarians and Disease Diagnostic Laboratoriesis for both veterinarians and clients to use at no cost. Veteterinarians (including veterinary students and veterinary technicians/nurses) and diagnostic laboratories can register (free) and keep their information updated for users to locate them. On registering in the Aquatic Veterinary Directory individuals can subscribe to AquaVetMed e-News which periodically distributes information on a wide variety of aquatic veterinary issues – from jobs and veterinary meetings and continuing education, to emerging diseases and legislative/regulatory issues. Paraveterinary professionals and other non-veterinarians can subscribe to AquaVetMed e-News by sending an e-mail request to dscarfe@avma.org.
The World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association is a key resource for all veterinarians, veterinary students and veterinary technicians – currently the largest aquatic veterinary organization worlwide. The Mission of WAVMA is to serve the discipline of aquatic veterinary medicine in enhancing aquatic animal health and welfare, public health and seafood safety, in support of the veterinary profession, aquatic animal owners and industries, and other stakeholders. Growth of the ogranization is resulting in a a rapid expansion of membership services and programs to help its members and the clients they serve in numerous ways – see http://www.WAVMA.org for more information.
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