Antibiotics
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Injectable antibiotics and bacterial infections(ulcer disease):


Two things will bring on ulcer disease:  Poor water conditions and parasites

Ulcer disease displays itself in many ways.  Fin reddening, erosion, body sores, reddening and
swelling of areas of the body, mushy or grey gills to name a few.  Catching them in their early
stages and injecting them with antibiotics is almost always successful and is actually quite easy.
Swabbing the fins or any ulcerated area with iodine is also recommended at this time.

If you've never injected anything with a syringe, grab an orange and practice injecting with water.
It only takes a couple times to get the hang of it.  For ease of injections always sedate the fish.

Intra-peritoneal injections: IP: Load the syringe by holding the antibiotic bottle upside down.  Pull
the plunger of the syringe to add the same amount of air to the bottle as antibiotic to be removed.
Holding the body of the syringe, pierce the rubber stopper, release the air in to the bottle and
remove what antibiotic is needed for injection.

























To Properly inject:  IP injections are inserted midway between the vent and the ventral fins on
either side of an imaginary line between them.  The needle should be inserted - not stabbed - at
about a 10-degree angle pointing toward the head.  Slowly inject by pressing the plunger.  Keep
finger pressure on the injection site while removing the needle.  This is primarily to stop
accidental scale removal.  However, if one does come off, rest assured it will grow back.  

The most commonly used syringes are 3CC 25gauge 5/8".  Smaller ones are used on fish which
are 2" to 10".

The following are injectable tables.  These are set forth to help koi keepers help themselves, and
to get help from their family veterinarian.  Injections should never be given unless a veterinarian
has approved the use, or knows the koi keeper well.  I deal with two veterinarians (husband and
wife team) and keep them informed from time-to-time about my collection.

Baytril injectable antibiotic is available in three strengths: 2.27%. 5% and 10%.  The table below is
calculated for 5% Baytril.  Baytril in most cases should be the first injectible to use.  It is powerful,
forgiving, and in almost every instance healing is visible after three injections.  The protocol for
Baytril is three injections on consecutive days, then two more every other day (EOD) for a total of
five injections.  Like antibiotics for pets or yourself, it is best to follow through completely.
Short-circuiting the injections could lead to Baytril resistant strains.  Intraperitoneal injections are
usually suggested and are the easiest and safest.  Keep this product cool or refrigerate.  Baytril
is usually dated and has a fairly long shelf life.

One more thing about Baytril.  There have been some cases of new imports being resistant to
Baytril.  While I know this to be true, it can also look like Baytril resistance when it is actually under
dosing of the antibiotic.  Measure carefully and refer to the charts for accuracy.  If 2.27% Baytril is
all that is available, the dosage on this Baytril chart should be doubled.

Naxcel, Nuflor and Azactam antibiotics may be used in place of Baytril, if Baytril does not promote
healing after the third injection, or if it is not available.  The injection routine is the same, but
some will need to be reconstituted with a saline solution or injectable water.  The table reflects the
different dosage amounts for each antibiotic.  

Please note: Other charts on other sites and in published books and periodicals may differ from
this chart.  This is a compilation of information from actual use by hobbyists and from suggested
doses found in books and periodicals.

1ml = 1cc

Koi length(inches)----5% Baytril-----Naxcel----Nuflor-----Cefotan-----Azactam

4"-----------------------0.1-------------0.2-------0.2---------0.2---------.08
8"-----------------------0.2-------------0.5-------0.5---------0.5---------.15
12"----------------------0.3-------------0.9-------0.9---------0.9---------.2
14"----------------------0.5-------------1.0-------1.0---------1.0---------.4
16"----------------------0.6-------------1.3-------1.3---------1.3---------.5
18"----------------------0.8-------------1.6-------1.6---------1.6---------.6
20"----------------------0.9-------------1.7-------1.7---------1.7---------.8
22"----------------------1.0-------------1.9-------1.9---------1.9---------.9
24"----------------------1.2-------------2.2-------2.2---------2.2--------1.0
26"----------------------1.3-------------2.4-------2.4---------2.4--------1.1
28"----------------------1.5-------------2.8-------2.8---------2.8--------1.3
30"----------------------1.7-------------3.2-------3.2---------3.2--------1.5

Amikacin:  Diluted:
Amikacin is bactericidal.  It kills on contact.  When injected daily it can also cause irreparable if
not fatal damage to koi.  As with all antibiotics use at your own risk.  One suggested protocol is
twice with a four day interval.  There are reports that a single injection of Amikacin did such an
amazing job that no further injections were given (whether needed or prescribed remains a
mystery).

I have used the human grade with success.  My interval is one injection every seven days.  Total
of three injections.  I generally use injectable Vitamin C as an additional injection the first time.

Amikacin comes in two strengths either of which must be diluted:

Human use:  250mg/ml, and
Veterinary use:  50mg/ml.

Both should be diluted. The following chart is for veterinary grade Amikacin:

Koi length (in inches)---50mg/ml Amikacin (diluted)--sterile saline IP:

4-----------------------------.08-------------+------------.3
8-----------------------------.2--------------+------------.5
12----------------------------.4--------------+------------1.0
16----------------------------.6--------------+------------1.4
18----------------------------.7--------------+------------1.5
20----------------------------.85-------------+------------1.75
22----------------------------1.0-------------+------------2.0
24----------------------------1.3-------------+------------2.25
26----------------------------1.5-------------+------------2.5
28----------------------------1.75------------+------------3.3
30----------------------------2.0-------------+------------4.0

FORTAZ

Fortaz is a fourth generation cephalosporin.  It is a broad spectrum bacteriocidal antibiotic.  
Fortaz is active against many strains of gram positive and gram negative organisms which are
resistant to other cephalosporins.

Fortaz is very forgiving: the dosage has a wide range.  Although somewhat expensive, once it is
reconstituted it can be pre-loaded in syringes and frozen.  The shelf life of the dry material is
many years, and the frozen pre-loaded product about a year.

Fortaz is available in a one gram vial.  To this vial is slowly added 10 ml of bacteriostatic water for
injection.  DO NOT SHAKE!  When this solution is mixed it releases carbon dioxide and the vial is
then under pressure.  Gently roll the vial between your palms and let it sit for a few minutes.  You
may vent the carbon dioxide with a syringe if you wish.

Yield:  100mg/ml

For large fish (the big 25+" girls) a more concentrated solution can be made by reducing the
bacteriostatic water to 3ml.  Injections can be given IM or IP.  I strongly suggest IP.

Yield: 280mg/ml

Dosage table:  These are suggested dosages based on length but have also been compared to
those using weight. It is fairly close. Because Fortaz is relatively forgiving is it suggested that the
heavier females receive a slightly higher dosage of the 100mg/ml solution or be switched to the
280mg/ml concentrate.

The following chart is calculated with a 10ml dilution.  Divide by three for the stronger 3ml dilution.

Length in inches:--------------------Fortaz 100mg/ml

7................................................. .045ml
8................................................. .06ml
9................................................. .09ml
12...............................................0 .3ml
14...............................................0 .375ml
16...............................................0 .55ml
18...............................................1 ml
20...............................................1 .2ml
22...............................................1 .5ml
24...............................................2 .0ml
26...............................................2 .5ml
28...............................................3 .15ml
30...............................................4 .0ml

Note the increase in antibiotic as the length increases.  This corresponds favorably with several
length/weight charts which studies the weight increase versus length.

Fortaz dosage can be adjusted upward based on heavier females without fear.  I would suggest
an injection protocol of three injections - one every three days.


Chloramphenicol:
This antibiotic is mentioned favorably from time to time.  Please do not use it! This antibiotic will
cause Grey's Syndrome in humans.

Dexamethasone:
This is not an antibiotic but a treatment/steroid for shock.  For a variety of reasons fish may go
into shock.  A single injection of "dex" will bring them out of it safely and quickly.  The
concentration generally used for fish is 4mg/ml.  The chart to use is the 5% Baytril chart.  A single
injection is all that is necessary.  The life of this steroid in the body is about two days.


Example:
12"koi .3cc
16"koi .6cc
20"koi .9cc
24"koi 1.2cc
28"koi 1.5cc

Injectable Vitamin C:
An immune system booster.  I have used Injectable Vitamin C on several koi and all have
responded very well indeed.  I used it on a fish with recurring ulcers once a week side by side with
human grade amikacin with a final single injection of C on the fourth week.  The fish is doing well
and has been placed in a new home with top notch care.

Use the 5% Baytril chart.  A single injection given as a secondary injection with the first antibiotic
injection.  Injections of Vitamin C may be continued but space the injections to weekly and I have
reason to believe four injections over a period of four weeks is probably more than enough.

Do not mix injectables.  Inject a small distance apart.

When using these charts remember that the use of an injectable does not guarantee success.
Many things can go wrong in the treatment efforts so proceed with caution.

Water column antibiotics/antibacterials:
There are many medications which lay claim to doing wonders in the water column.  The truth of
the matter is that few do very much, and few can be used alone.  One exception seems to be
Elbagin.  This is a water column antibacterial which is gaining an excellent reputation.  If you have
need for a small quantity some of the better importers seem to have it available from time to time.
Many of the Japanese breeders treat with Elbagin and salt almost immediately after their fish are
harvested from the mud ponds.

Microscopes and supplies:
For microscopes the best place is eBay.  You'll need magnification of 100X to 600X to see the
microscopic bugs associated with koi.


Disclosure statement: The opinions, suggestions, directions, recommendations, advice are just
that. Nothing more.