Dropsy can mostly be stopped if cheap treatment is started immediately. listed in
order of importance

1. clean up the tank and water
2. run the heat up to 86oF
3. Get the salt out of the system
4. feed Metro-Meds or other antibiotic foods
5. put in 1/8 teaspoon Epsom salts.

Everyone who keeps GF should have a Medicine Chest "on hand" so here is a list:

MEDICINE CHEST FOR GOLDFISH
1. Rock salt, NovAqua, PolyAqua for water conditioning and soothing gills. Water
softener salt called "solar salt" is great. Epsom salts. LFS
2. Hydrogen peroxide and neosporin creme for topical application. Wound Control for
open wounds. LFS
3. Two 20- 40 gallon rubbermaid tubs, an extra tank heater, extra airstone and small
air pump. These are used in the tub-to-tub method and double as temporary quarantine
tanks when you simply cannot walk out of the store without a fish.
4. Quick Cure and potassium permanganate for parasite control.
5. Metro-Meds, or Romet B antibiotic food, TMP-4 with trimetheprim for bacteria.

For TMP-4, potassium permanganate and oxolinic acid: Fishy Fharmacy 1-800-423-2035
do google for other parts of kit

A lot of people are having good luck with Metro-Meds if dropsy is caught early. But
running the heat up seems to be the most important single thing to do after cleaning
up the water. Treat for parasites if they are present.
http://weloveteaching.com/puregold/d...ame.htm#dropsy


On Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:31:30 -0400, wrote:
Conclusions:
NITRATES are as dangerous as ammonia and nitrites
Dropsy can _sometimes_ be stopped, even when advanced.
(but it takes $$ and a lot of work)