Antibiotics

Injectable Antibiotics

1) Azactam

• a. Currently the best choice
• b. Treats all gram negative rods, including Aeromonas and all of its relatives which cause Hole-in-the-Side.
• c. Effective against organisms which are resistant to other antibiotics, as cephalosporins, penicillins and aminoglycosides.
• d. Used in hospitals for serious infections where Clhoromycetin was used 20 years ago.
• e. Comes in one or two gram bottles and obtained only by prescription, either from hospital pharmacies or must be ordered.
• f. Put 10 cc of sterile water or saline into the 1 gram vial of azactam powder and shake until dissolved.
• g. Keep in a cool place, shelf life is only one week.
• h. doseage
  • a) 6" koi = 0.3cc or 30 mgm
  • b) 8" koi = 0.35cc or 35 mgn
  • c) 10" koi = O.4cc or 40 mgm
  • d) 12" koi = 0.5cc or 50 mgn
  • e) 14" koi = 0.6cc or 60 mgm
  • h) 16" koi = 0.8cc or 80 mgm
  • g) 18" koi = 1.0cc or 100 mgn
  • h) 20" koi = 1.2cc or 120 mgm
  • j) 24" koi = 1.4cc or 140 mgn
  • k) 28" koi = 1.6 cc or 160 mgn
  • i. over 24" add 0.2 to 0.4cc to the above dosage schedule.
• j. Inject for 3 days each day and repeat as indicated.

2) Chloramphenical

• a) Used before discovered Azactam.
• b) Good success but lately ulcers do not respond as quickly as previously.
• c) Dosages all exactly the same as Azactam.

3) Aminoglycosides

• a) Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Amikin
• b) Concern of toxicity if renal failure, but have not had that experience in koi or humans.
• c) Dosage in volume same as above two, but milligrams

• a) Tretracyclines were used first but most now have a poor effect upon Aeromonas
• b) None better than outlined above.
• c) Future choice is Augmentin
  • 1. A Beta-Lactamase Inhibitor
  • 2. somewhat related to Azactam.
  • 3 Comes only in a liquid suspension or pill.

Possible Topical Treatments

• a) For a small beginning ulcer, many have had success simply by treating the ulcer topically.
• b) First debride and clean ulcer with Q tip, saline of hydrogen peroside, then apply antiseptic or topical antibiotic. 21
• c) Different agnts which hobbyists have reported success: Hydrogen Peroxide, Mercurochrome, Tincture Iodine, Betadine, Merthiolate, Potassium Permanganate, Formalin, Furacin, Polysporin spray and Gentamycin spray.
• d). Continue to treat topically daily until no further pink, infected tissue is seen, i.e., the ulcer has all turned white.