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Best Medications for Treating Aquarium Fish Diseases

Kate Barrington
by Kate Barrington
Published:  September 29th, 2021

Just like any pet, fish can get sick too. But how can you fight illness in your tank? Here’s our list of the best medications for treating aquarium fish diseases.

When a pet dog or cat gets sick, you take them to the veterinarian. What do you do when your fish get sick? Aquarium fish diseases are more common than you might imagine, especially in tanks where new fish or other aquarium habitants have recently been added. Not only are aquarium fish diseases fairly common, but they can be tricky to treat because anything you add to the tank water in terms of treatment can change the water chemistry.

To help you pick the best medications to treat aquarium fish disease, we’ve assembled a list. Keep reading to learn more about common aquarium fish diseases and what products are best to treat them.

Related: Best Fish Food for Aquarium Fish

Best Medications for Treating Aquarium Fish Diseases

The first step in treating aquarium fish disease is identifying the problem. Take what you’ve learned above and do your own research to figure out what disease is affecting your fish. From there, you can consider some of our top picks for the best aquarium fish medications reviewed below:

1. Editor’s Choice: API Stress Coat

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This medication is technically a water conditioner, but it provides other benefits as well. In addition to removing harmful chemicals like chlorine from tap water and making it safe, it also replaces the fish’s protective coating that may have been damaged by stress or disease. This dual-action formula helps reduce fish susceptibility to disease and infection. It comes in a wide range of sizes so you can always keep it on hand. Use this medication when adding or changing water, when adding new fish to the aquarium, or when your fish are sick or injured.

2. Runner Up: API General Cure Powder Medication

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Designed to treat a wide variety of parasitic infections, this medication comes in the form of a powder for easy administration. This powder can be used in freshwater and saltwater tanks to eliminate parasitic fish disease symptoms like gill flukes, holes in the head, and swollen abdomen, among others. When symptoms of fungal diseases appear, use two packets of this medication every 48 hours.

3. Best for Ick: API Super Ick Cure

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Choose from several sizes of this powerful ick cure that quickly kills the parasite within 24 hours of the first dose – dose every day for five days when symptoms first start occurring. It is for use in both freshwater and saltwater tanks and also adds a slime coat for protection against future disease.

4. Best for Fungus: Kordon Methylene Blue

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This aquarium fish medication comes in a 4-ounce or 8-ounce bottle and is designed to treat a variety of fungal infections. It can be used in freshwater and saltwater tanks as an alternative to malachite green. It is highly effective and affordable.

5. Best for Parasites: Seachem ParaGuard

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This easy-to-use parasite control contains no formaldehyde or methanol, making it both fish and filter safe. It is also formulated for use without altering the pH levels of your aquarium. This means that it is a safer option than the highly toxic formalin-based medications for those who aren’t comfortable with their use.

It is recommended to for the treatment of a variety of ectoparasites and external fungal/bacterial/viral conditions in exotic fish including ich (white spot), velvet, fin rot and flukes. It is safe for use in freshwater tanks and marine environments; however, it should NOT be used when treating an aquarium that includes invertebrates, crustaceans, corals, or elasmobranchs (such as sharks, rays or skates).

If you are looking to treat a receiving tank for new fish or a hospital tank, this is a great option. It is also recommended for use any time that new fish are introduced to your community freshwater tank.

6. Best Copper: Seachem Cupramine Copper

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Intense parasite infections sometimes require a stronger medication and this copper treatment is a great option. Rated for both freshwater and marine use, this medication is effective against a variety of external parasites. It is less toxic to fish than other copper medications and won’t affect filtration.

7. Best Treats: Fritz Aquatics Mardel Copper Safe Treats

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If you’re worried about a copper treatment affecting your filter or discoloring your tank water, try this product. This medication is safe for freshwater and saltwater tanks (but shouldn’t be used in reef aquariums) and it treats everything from ick to flukes and anchor worms – and to boot, the live nitrifying bacteria eliminates ammonia and nitrates in the tank, as well. Just be sure not to use this solution with fish species that have a known sensitivity to copper. This medication treats 94 gallons of water.

8. Best for Flukes: Hikari Prazipro for Aquarium

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This aquarium fish medication contains

9. Honorable Mention: AquaCura Prazi-Cura Fish Medicine

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AquaCura Fish medicine contains genuine praziquantel and has no additional fillers or medicines. It is a great choice to deal with fish with flukes like liver flukes, gill flukes, internal parasites, and worms. The praziquantel is mild to your fish while offering maximum impact on the worms infecting your fish and tank. To use just add 1 gram of Prazi-Cura quick acting powder to every 100 gallons of your tank water. The formula will paralyze and kill the worms while helping your fish shed them safely. This is excellent choice for goldfish, koi, and ornamental fish.

10. Also Consider: API Melafix Bacterial Infection Remedy

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Whether you are currently working to combat a bacterial infection in your freshwater tank, or looking for a preventative when introducing new fish, API Melafix is a great option. While this all-natural antibacterial remedy isn’t a ‘fix-all’ for fish problems, it does work for a wide variety of different situations. It contains a natural, botanical tea tree extract and Melaleuca, which both help to heal bacterial infections while also repairing open wounds, damaged fins, and ulcers.

Specific conditions that this remedy is designed to target include open wounds and abrasions, fin and tail rot, eye cloud, pop eye, body slime, and mouth fungus.

To maximize the benefits of this remedy, add it to your water daily for a week to treat existing infections. It can also be added for 3 days when new fish are being introduced to prevent unnecessary infections and reduce the risk of disease outbreak in your freshwater tank or aquarium.

11. Best Salt: API Aquarium Salt

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Though technically not a medication, aquarium salt is used to treat a wide variety of aquarium fish diseases. Made from evaporated sea water for all-natural results, this product promotes general fish health as well as gill function and may speed recovery from disease. What’s more, it also improves respiration for fish freshwater aquariums. Use aquarium salt when changing water in the tank, when treating certain fish diseases, or when you’re setting up a brand new freshwater aquarium to start off on the right foot.

Always use caution when treating your aquarium for anything, including disease. Adding chemicals or medications to your tank can change the water chemistry which might have a negative impact on your fish more significant than the disease itself.

The Most Common Aquarium Fish Diseases

Aquarium fish can be affected by a wide range of different diseases, some of which are easier to spot than others. In many cases, the first sign of illness is a change in behavior. If your fish stop eating as much as they usually do or if they are less active than usual, you may want to take a closer look to see if you spot signs of disease.

Here are some of the most common aquarium fish diseases to look for:

  • Body Flukes – Caused by undesirable tank conditions, body flukes are tiny flatworms that eat away at the gills, fins, and skin of your fish.
  • Anchor Worms – Typically introduced to the tank by new fish, anchor worms are actually tiny crustaceans that burrow into the skin and enter the muscles.
  • Dropsy – Typically caused by a bacterial kidney infection, dropsy occurs when the fish becomes bloated and has trouble swimming properly.
  • Ick – Easily one of the most contagious aquarium fish diseases, ich is caused by tiny parasites that look like tiny white spots all over the skin.
  • Fungal Infection – Fish can be affected by fungus on many parts of the body and it often looks like a white cottony growth. Fish with fungal infections are more susceptible to other diseases.
  • Gill Flukes – These are flatworms that measure about 1mm long and typically affect the gills. Fish kept in poor water quality or overcrowded tanks are more likely to get this disease.
  • Fin Rot – Typically caused by a bacterial infection, fin rot can also affect your fish’s tail or mouth. You may notice fading color and fraying of the fins and tail.
  • Lice – You may not think of lice as a problem for aquatic animals, but they can affect fish. You’ll usually see restless behavior and see tiny pale dots crawling on your fish.

Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for in an aquarium fish medications, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top picks.

Can aquarium fish get whirling disease?

Yes, freshwater aquarium fish can get whirling disease, although it’s not very common. This condition is characterized by whirling motion brought on by neurological damage and skeletal deformation, which is caused by the myxozoan parasite called myxobolus cerebralis. The symptoms appear approximately 35 to 80 days after the infection, so if you’ve had your fish for more than a few months in the aquarium, chances are that it’s not whirling disease that’s causing their issues.

How do you treat aquarium fish disease?

Aquarium fish disease can be caused by parasites, bacteria, fungi, or a virus – so the method of treating the disease can vary greatly. The first step is determining which type of diseases your fish have and what is behind it, before you proceed with medications. There are a range of products specially formulated to treat most aquarium fish diseases, whether they function as anti-parasitics, antibiotics, or antifungal solutions. As most aquarium fish diseases are closely related to the conditions in the aquarium, you will also have to make a few changes to your usual practices, from switching the water temperature, lighting, or your cleaning routine.

How do you tell if your fish is stressed?

Fish might not be able to communicate, but that doesn’t mean that their behavior doesn’t change when they are stressed – you just have to pay close attention to catch the signs early on. Loss of appetite, unusual swimming patterns, and gasping for air at the top of the tank are some of the easiest symptoms of stress in fish to recognize. Naturally, fish disease can also be a symptom of stress, particularly those that manifest as changes on the gills and body.

Should I quarantine my sick fish?

Absolutely you should – this minimizes spread of infection to other inhabitants of the aquarium and minimizes the damage. Not to mention it lets the affected fish recuperate and receive treatment in peace! Most aquarists isolate sick fish in a separate tank and treat it with proper medications, and continue that process for at least 2 to 4 weeks before returning the fish back to the main tank.

How long should a fish stay in a hospital tank?

It depends on the sickness you are treating. For most, 2 to 4 weeks will be plenty of time to isolate a sick fish, but sometimes, it’s 4 to 6 weeks at least before the fish gets better and can be returned to the tank. If you are unsure, check what the aquarium medication label says – your fish should be isolated in the hospital tank as long as they are being treated.

What should I consider when choosing medications for aquarium fish?

The goal is to properly identify the problem first, so you’d know what type of aquarium fish medication you’ll need to effectively solve the issues your pets are having. One you narrow down the list and find out which type of disease is affecting your fish, go for medications formulated specifically for that issue – it can be parasitic, viral, bacterial, or fungal in nature. After that, there’s not much to it: just follow the instructions on the package and hope for the best. Of course, it goes without saying that you should always isolate the fish and clean the tank to prevent potential contamination and the spread of diseases.

Additional resources:

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Kate Barrington
Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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With the holiday season fast approaching, it is the time for presents, cuddling, yummy meals and, to be honest, spoiling the one you love, including your four-legged bestie. But are there some pet parents that take it a bit too far, and if so, do we know in which states they live? If you are one of those owners who like to pamper their furry friend and spoil them to no end, stick around to find out who’s guilty of overindulging their doggo just like you!An interesting  Forbes Advisor survey estimates that around 22.2% of dog owners in the USA, or one in five, admit to having spent more money on  Christmas gifts for their dogs, rather than gifts for friends and family. This means that there are certainly some pampered and spoiled doggos to be found across the nation, but what is more interesting is that dog owners in certain states tend to spoil dogs more than in others. Now, after a nationwide survey, the results are in!With a score of 100 out of 100, Florida definitely wins as the state with the most spoiled dogs! The Sunshine State is reported to have around 66.5% of owners who spend more money on their dog’s health, grooming, and gifts, than on their own. They are also more likely to pamper dogs by perfuming them, pushing them in strollers, buying them clothes and gifts, or taking them to restaurants. Interestingly, the second place, and right behind Florida, is Alaska, with a score of 98.69 out of 100. Nearly half of all dog owners in this northerly state admit to regularly throwing birthday parties for their pooches, purchasing them special outfits, and even putting cologne on them. They too will spend more money on their pets than on themselves.Behind Florida and Alaska in places 1 and 2 respectively, are the following states:3. Washington - 91.82 out of 1004. Colorado - 82.04 out of 1005. California - 77.96 out of 1006. New Jersey - 77.52 out of 1007. Illinois - 77.23 out of 1008. Texas - 70.80 out of 1009. Delaware - 69.93 out of 10010. Virginia - 69.34 out of 100The survey also offered some indicators and activities that might suggest that you are spoiling your dog. If you regularly do some of these activities, you might be pampering your pooch as well!Taking family photos with the dog Ordering the dog a special treat at a restaurant Bringing the dog on vacationPushing the dog in a strollerSpending more money on the dog’s health and grooming than on their own Buying the dog outfits and accessoriesSo, what’s the result? Are you too on the list of owners who spoil their pets? Let us know!

Why Are Labradors Fat? Scientists Have the Answer

The friendly, playful, and trainable Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. But, few canines are as obsessed with food as Labrador retrievers - and now scientists think they have discovered why. According to new research, a quarter of labs are predisposed to obesity due to a genetic mutation.Approximately 25 percent of Labradors face a double-whammy of burning fewer calories and feeling hungry all the time because of an anomaly. Scientists explain that this obesity-causing combination means dog owners must be strict when feeding and exercising their labs to keep them fit.The mutation is found in the gene called POMC, which plays an important role in energy use and hunger, and affects how dogs behave around food. Around 25 percent of Labradors and 66 percent of flat-coated retrievers are affected by POMC mutation, which puts these dogs at risk of obesity and causes increased interest in food.Researchers found that although these dogs don’t need to eat more to feel full, they are hungrier in between meals. The study also showed that dogs with the POMC mutation use around 25 percent less energy when resting than dogs without it. As a result, these pooches don’t need to eat as many calories to maintain a healthy weight. “We found that a mutation in the POMC gene seems to make dogs hungrier. Affected dogs tend to overeat because they get hungry between meals more quickly than dogs without the mutation,” said Dr. Eleanor Raffan, a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience who led the study. “All owners of Labradors and flat-coated retrievers need to watch what they’re feeding these highly food-motivated dogs to keep them a healthy weight. But dogs with this genetic mutation face a double whammy: they not only want to eat more, but also need fewer calories because they’re not burning them off as fast,” she added.The study found that the POMC mutation alters a pathway in dogs’ brains associated with body weight regulation. The mutated genes trigger the starvation signal that sends a message to the body to increase food intake and conserve energy.The study involved 87 adult pet Labradors, all at a healthy weight or moderately obese. The dogs were subjected to several tests, including ‘the sausage in the box’ test. The dogs were first given a can of wet dog food every 20 minutes until they couldn’t eat any more. All labs eat huge amounts of food, but what’s interesting is that dogs with POMC didn’t eat more food than the dogs without it.On a different day, all dogs were given the same breakfast. Three hours later they were offered a sausage in a box made of clear plastic and a perforated lid, so the dogs could see and smell the sausage but not eat it.Scientists discovered that labs with POMC mutation tried harder to get the sausage than the dogs without it, showing greater hunger. In another test, the dogs were allowed to sleep in a special chamber that measured the gases they breathed out. This test showed that labs with POMC mutation burn 25 percent fewer calories than dogs without it. According to researchers, people are often rude to owners of fat dogs, criticizing them for not feeding and exercising their dogs properly. However, this study has shown that labs with POMC are trying to increase their energy intake by looking for food all the time. Keeping these dogs slim is challenging, but possible. Spreading out daily food rations, by using puzzle feeders to slow down feeding or scattering the food around the yard so it takes longer to eat are ways owners can keep their Labradors distracted from constant hunger. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Working Dog Gets Stolen and Dropped in a Shelter 700 Miles From Home

We all love our pooches, don’t we? It’s impossible to imagine that someone would be capable of stealing your four-legged companion. But, sadly many dogs get stolen every day. That’s exactly what happened to Hank, a 12-year-old McNab mix, who was working on a ranch in Oregon.The woman who brought Hank to the St. George Animal Shelter told the staff that she had found the dog locally. However, Hank was more than 700 miles away from home!“He was a working dog,” said Animal Service Officer Supervisor Cathy Freitas to St. George News. The pooch was found on a ranch in Oregon and driven to St. George by a woman who lied to the shelter staff and said that she found the dog in the local area. “The dog was absolutely well cared for and happy,” Freitas added. “And the person who saw it assumed otherwise and thought rather than going to the authorities and saying ‘I found a dog,’ she intentionally drove the dog from that area because she didn’t want it to go back to the owner thinking that it wasn’t well taken care of because it was outside… Not every dog is going to be happy lying on your couch and eating snacks.”The shelter posted a photo of Hank on social media, hoping someone would recognize him. Luckily, the post reached the right people, and a person in Idaho recognized the pooch. Soon, everything became much clearer.As it happens, Hanks was with his family for a long time, and they missed him terribly. Unfortunately, Hank’s owners didn’t know where to start looking for him because the people who took him had driven so far away. When the shelter got ahold of the owners, they immediately got into their vehicle and drove 700 miles to get their dog. That’s 1,400 miles round trip - a sure proof of the love and dedication that they have for their pooch.The owners explained that Hank is in the fifth generation of McNab dogs bred to work on the family’s ranch. People should know that there are working dogs, Freitas explained. These dogs are bred and trained to work and that’s where they feel the most comfortable and happy. If you happen to find a dog near livestock, there’s a good chance that it’s a working dog, and it’s best not to approach it. If the dog seems neglected or injured, contact Animal Services or nonemergency dispatch. This way the local authorities can check on the dog and get a hold of its owner. When it comes to Hank, the St. George Animal Shelter wouldn’t be able to hold his owners accountable if he had been neglected or abused because they are outside of the St. George Police Department’s jurisdiction.  The police from the dog’s hometown wouldn’t have been notified, giving the family a chance to adopt another dog.Taking a dog like this is extremely stressful for them and their family, but it can also put their herd at risk, as they would be without a guardian and more likely to become prey. Luckily, this story has a happy ending and Hank is back on the ranch, helping his owners with livestock. His family could press charges against the woman who took him, even though she might have had the dog’s best interest at heart. At the end of the day, she stole Hank and transported him across state lines. If you come across a dog herding livestock, stay a safe distance away and don’t offer any treats or food. According to Freitas, most working dogs aren’t aggressive towards people, but they can be if they sense their herd is at risk. Let’s not forget that working dogs aren’t house pets. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Do Dogs Experience Grief?

Anyone who has ever shared their heart and home with a dog can attest to how deep the emotional connection we form with our best friends is. It is this bond that makes saying goodbye so difficult. But are we the only ones experiencing this pain?If you have recently experienced the passing of a pet or family member and noticed your dog acting a little differently, you may be wondering – Do dogs experience grief, too?In this article, we will dig into the truth about canine emotions and canine grief. This includes understanding what grief means to your dog, learning to recognize the signs that they may be mourning and tips for helping your best friend navigate this difficult time.Do Dogs Experience Grief or Mourning?The short answer is yes, dogs do grieve the loss of a person or animal in their lives. In a 2022 study led by Dr. Federica Pirrone, a veterinary physiologist at the University of Milan, 86% of dog owners reported that they saw a change in behavior in their surviving dog after losing a companion.Our dogs form close bonds with one another and with us. This can be seen both in wild dogs, with the relationships that exist between pack members, as well as the domesticated dogs of today.While they can’t tell us how they are feeling (although we wish they could), dog parents often witness physical and behavioral changes that indicate something is “off” for their dog following a loss. This occurs when a family member (human or pet) passes or even if a family member moves away like a child moving out of the family home.Recognizing that our dogs also go through a grieving process allows us to take steps to help our beloved furry friends deal with this difficult time.

Mind-Reading Pet Psychics Are a Burgeoning Business

Pet parents pay big bucks to communicate better with their best buddies.

Dog Rescued After Surviving a 60-foot Fall from Michigan Cliff

A family’s trip to one of Michigan’s most beautiful landmarks almost ended tragically, when their dog took a tumble from a cliff. The adventurous dog, named Dancer, was rescued after surviving a 60-foot fall from a cliff and spending a freezing night alone in the wilderness. The three-year-old pooch had escaped her leash and plunged off a steep cliff near Miners Castle, in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore area in Munising, Michigan. The lakeshore runs alongside Lake Superior and is located in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. The National Park Service (NPS) shared in a news release that Dancer fell 60 feet off a cliff to a ledge below. The dog’s owners spent hours searching the area but were unable to find the dog and were convinced that she didn’t survive the fall. Rangers at the nearby Pictured Rocks Park received a message about the lost pooch and decided to enlist the help of Superior High Angle Rescue Professionals (SHARP), a local rope rescue team, to search for the dog. The following morning SHARP members Erik Olsen, Westley Shaffer, and Tyler Davis went to the area and were able to find Dancer, who was cold, but alive. “Though she has spent the night trying to keep warm, she was excited to see the rescuers,” the service wrote. Dancer, who was described as a “professional troublemaker” didn’t have any reported injuries. The lucky pooch has since been reunited with her family and is recovering well after spending the night alone in the wilderness. The park service noted that Dancer was extremely lucky and although her story has a happy ending, her fall should serve as a reminder to everyone that areas of Pictured Rocks can get very cold and extremely slippery.“With this year’s mild start to winter, many areas of Pictured Rocks are more accessible than they are most years,” Chief Ranger Joe Hughes explained. “It is still important to remember to be prepared for slippery, cold conditions that can change quickly.”Whether you’re planning to hit a local trail with your pooch or are planning a trip to a state park, keep your pooch on a leash. Make sure that your pup’s harness is fitted properly so that your pooch can’t wiggle out of it, even if it tries. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

More And More Pets Are Having Allergies, Trupanion Reports

The time when spring blooms and summer comes to the doorstep is an idyllic period for most, but a lot of people dread this time of the year because of seasonal allergies that cause s lot of sneezing, headaches, and all-around discomfort. Now, it seems, it’s not just us humans that can experience nasty spring allergies – data indicates that our four-legged best friends are also affected by them. Dogs, in particular, are very susceptible to  spring allergies and are increasingly treated for their symptoms, such as itchy skin.Are All Dogs At Risk for Spring Allergies?It is important to be aware that the trees and flowers that bloom in spring can be a source of allergies for your pet. Not only are spring allergies very uncomfortable for dogs, but they can potentially lead to many secondary issues, the most dangerous of which is a skin infection.And if you think that chances for a spring allergy affecting your dog are low, consider a recent report issued by the pet insurance company Trupanion. They claim that there was a 45% increase in allergy claims for insured pets over the course of four years since 2019. This means that allergies are on the rise, both for pets and their owners. In fact, as  Axios reports, according to the insurer Nationwide, spring allergies are at the top of the list of health conditions that end in vet visits. Another key fact is related to allergy drugs. Since two of the major allergy drugs were released in 2013 and 2018, more than 20 million dogs have been treated by them, in an effort to battle spring allergy effects. Of course, if you suspect that your pet is suffering from a spring allergy, it is key to visit your vet as soon as possible. Depending on the effects, your vet can prescribe topical, injectable, or chewable treatments that help reduce  itchiness and other issues. And, considering that such allergies are seasonal, be ready for them with the arrival of spring and the blooming of trees. Learn to spot the symptoms such as itchiness, and to react quickly!

Organizations Donate Free Food to Help Owners Keep Pets

The high cost of living forces many pet owners to consider rehoming their pets.

A Six-legged Abandoned Dog Has Surgery to Remove Extra Limbs

A six-legged cocker spaniel found abandoned in a supermarket parking lot in Wales has had surgery to remove her extra limbs. The pooch was named Ariel, after the Little Mermaid, because her extra limbs were fused together, resembling a mermaid’s tail. Greenacres Rescue, a non-profit group from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, took Ariel in, arranged her surgery, and found her a foster family.  Ariel, who was born with multiple birth defects, was operated on at Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital. Surgeon Aaron Lutchman performed the surgery and managed to save all four limbs amid fears that one hind leg might have to be amputated. “She’s doing really well, she’s bounced back and she’s a happy little dog and we’re hoping she’s going to go on to lead a fabulous little life,” said Lutchman. “She’s got her own little character and even though she’s had a tough start in life she really has done well to come through this as she has… if we can do what we can to help then that’s just absolutely brilliant.” According to Mikey Lawlor, founder and manager of Greenacres Rescue, Ariel was skinny and distressed when she was rescued. “The vet who initially assessed Ariel noted that, in addition to her two surplus back legs, she also had an additional vulva,” said Lawlor. A CT scan later revealed that Ariel was born with only one kidney, which increased the complexity of the medical treatment she required. Unfortunately, the pup’s pelvis never formed properly because she had two hip joints on one side of the body. As a result, Ariel’s normal hind leg had no muscle tone, so there was a chance that that leg had to be amputated as well. “Thankfully, that wasn’t the case though as it’s shown signs of having strengthened a lot in recent months,” Lawlor added.Ariel is recovering nicely after her surgery, having lots of love and fuss from the nursing team. Now that the surgery is behind her, everyone is hoping that she’ll have an easy and quick recovery.“There were two procedures which lasted about two hours, but both went fine. The next day she was up, walking around and eating and drinking.”“Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed she doesn’t get any infections, but she really is in the best of hands,” added Lawlor according to BBC. The brave pooch was discharged over the weekend and has already returned home to her foster family in Wales. According to her vet, Ariel has to rest for the next two weeks to recover completely. The founder of Greenacres Rescue hopes that the organization will be able to find a forever home for Ariel after she completes physiotherapy and recovery. “The response we had to Ariel’s story so far, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible - so I’ve no doubt she’ll be snapped up,” said Lawlor.“I just can’t say enough of a thank you to everyone who’s contributed to helping her.” The organization raised around $19,000 for Ariel’s life-changing surgery thanks to donations from people all over the world.“Ariel was a complicated little dog whose care required close collaboration across a number of our specialist teams, including orthopedics, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, and radiology,” said Vicki Black, the director of Langford Vets’ Hospital. “As part of the University of Bristol, we are a center committed to career-long learning and are proud to innovate and treat pets like Ariel. We are delighted such a lovely animal has recovered well from her surgery.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Small Cat Family Was Found Living in the Ceiling of a Restaurant

Cats choose their homes in the unlikeliest of places! And a recent event from Massachusetts, when a momma cat and her four newborn kittens were discovered living in the ceiling of a New Bedford restaurant, definitely confirms this.The  Animal Rescue League of Boston said that they received a call from the employees of a local New Bedford restaurant. It was no ordinary call, however, as the employees said that they were “hearing kittens meowing from the ceiling”. The momma cat, however, was no stranger at the premises. The staff noticed her around the place before but did not suspect that she was pregnant – or that she was living in the ceiling. But hearing the distinct sound of kittens meowing, the employees were quick to understand what happened. The animal rescue team quickly responded to the call, and their field service agents soon spotted the tiny kittens through a small slit between the restaurant wall and a hole in the ceiling. With a little bit of patience and work, the rescue team managed to retrieve all four kittens from the ceiling space, and safely transport them to the rescue shelter. Rescuing the momma cat, however, was not as easy. Cunning and careful, the cat evaded all the efforts of the team, including artificial kitten sounds, and tasty cat food. Ultimately, the team employed a humane cat trap that they placed within the ceiling. The next day, they reported that the momma cat entered the trap at around 11 p.m. at night, which allowed them to reunite her with her children at the Animal Rescue League's Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center. There, they were all treated and given veterinary care."Community cats are incredibly resilient, and have a knack to find shelter for themselves and their offspring," the animal rescue league said in a subsequent statement for  NBC Boston. "However, kittens born this time of year are incredibly vulnerable to the elements and other potential dangers and ARL urges the public that if a cat with offspring are discovered, to contact ARL Field Services for assistance." In the meantime, the happy momma cat and her babies are resting and growing, until the time comes when they can be put up for adoption and find forever homes and each their own happy ending to this unusual story.

Are Bengal Cats Really That Wild? Here's What Science Has to Say.

Bengal cats are a truly stunning feline breed, in many ways. According to the International Cat Association (TICA), they hold the title of being the most popular cat breed globally, and it doesn’t really come as a surprise. Their unique and exotic appearance, their unavoidable charm, and their slender physique are certainly the reason for this prestigious title. But even though they are popular, Bengal cats are a relatively new breed in the field of domesticated cats. While most ordinary domestic cat breeds have been around for thousands of years, Bengal cats have been around for less than a century, which comes as a stark contrast. They are a hybrid breed as well, having been created in the 1960s. They came about from the crossing of the domestic cat (Felis Catus), and the Asian Leopard cats (Prionailurus Bengalensis), which are a small, spotted, wild cat species living in Asia. What makes the combination unique is the fact that these two cat species had a common ancestor about 6 million years ago, which means that the genetic differences between them are incredible. The differences are even greater than between humans and chimpanzees!The resulting breed is the Bengal cat, and it is adored for its exotic appearance. It has special spots, just like ocelots or leopards. But most folks ascribe the unique coloration and patterns of these felines to the DNA they received from their wild and distantly related ancestors. And that’s why scientific folks paid special attention to the ancestry of Bengal cats. Greg Barsh, MD, Ph.D., Faculty Investigator at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Professor of Genetics at Stanford University,  himself an expert in the genetics of feline coat coloration and patterning is a key figure in the research process of Bengal ancestry. Together with his team, which is led by Chris Kaelin, Ph.D., and Kelly McGowan, MD, Ph.D., Mr. Barsh is working hard towards unraveling Bengal ancestry through the genetics of popular color traits."Cats are wonderful companions," he explains for  Phys.org, "but our interests go beyond their beautiful and exotic appearance. Like the amazing variation among different dog breeds, artificial selection can be a very powerful engine to create morphologic diversity. What's different about Bengal cats from dogs is the raw genetic material–dogs trace their heritage to wolves from tens of thousands of years ago.""In contrast, Bengal cats trace their heritage to completely different species from millions of years ago. Understanding how these distantly related genomes interact is a general question that applies to any situation when different species exchange genes, from crops to aquaculture to humans and Neandertals."And even though this is a relatively new breed, started about 60 years ago by a few cat enthusiasts, it has grown incredibly during this time. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of registered Bengal cats, which are produced by about 2,000 breeders. Chris Kaelin, the leader of the Bengal cat DNA study, said “Cat fanciers and breeders are very interested in the research, in part because they want to know more about the science behind artificial selection, and in part, because they want to know if our results can help them produce cats with rosettes, stripes, or other exotic markings.” He also added "This is a great example of citizen science–our work has been enabled by the willingness of breeders to participate, and we share our results with the community."One of the surprising discoveries that was produced from the study is that Asian Leopard DNA contributes no more than a few percent to the overall Bengal Cat DNA. In fact, it is revealed that there isn’t one or even a few Asian leopard genes that are causing the unique spotted Bengal appearance. "One of the original motivations for bringing together DNA from the two species was to select for Asian leopard DNA that would recapitulate the appearance of an exotic wild cat in a companion animal," said Kaelin. "It turns out that some of the most striking examples of selection in the breed are for traits that were already present, but very rare, in domestic cats."So, the study reveals that the Bengals are in many ways totally unique. Mixing the two very unique breeds resulted in a cat that is exotic, elegant, charming, and above all loveable. And now, the results published are providing valuable information to all the enthusiasts in love with the Bengal breed. 

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