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When a family spotted a lump on their 20-year-old goldfish’s fin, they took it to Dr Faye Bethell, a well-known vet. The doctor saved the day by performing a surgery on Bob the fish. It took the vet based in Norfolk, England 30 minutes to remove the tumor. The surgery cost around $250. “The option was to remove the lump or put him to sleep and now he is doing brilliantly,” Dr Bethell commented. “Bob’s owners were really pleased because the goldfish is older than their children and he’s very much considered part of the family.”
The vet used a miniature heart-rate monitor, fed the fish anaesthetics, and carried out the operation with micro-surgical equipment. “It’s pretty complicated because everything is so small.” She added: “This one was the oldest fish we’ve operated on… Bob’s now back home and enjoying swimming properly for the first time in weeks.”
“We are definitely seeing pets living longer,” stressed Dr Bethell. “It’s really nice when you get an owner who wants to save them and great to help.”
More info: Toll Barn Veterinary Centre | Facebook (h/t)
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When a family spotted a lump on their 20-year-old goldfish’s fin, they took it to Dr Faye Bethell
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
The well-known doctor saved the day by performing a 30 minute surgery on Bob the fish that cost $250
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
“The option was to remove the lump or put him to sleep and now he is doing brilliantly”
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
“Bob’s owners were really pleased because… he’s very much considered part of the family”
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
The vet fed the fish anaesthetics and used a miniature heart-rate monitor and micro-surgical equipment
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
“It’s pretty complicated because everything is so small”
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
“Bob’s now back home and enjoying swimming properly for the first time in weeks”
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
“We are definitely seeing pets living longer… It’s really nice when you get an owner who wants to save them”
Image credits: Toll Barn Vets
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What do you think ?
Emre 8 years ago
This is a decision of the family and we should have respect for this. Money doesn't matter.
John L Kelly 8 years ago
Absolutely! Its their funds they are spending, not anyone else's.
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Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
I love the fact that they consider him so much of a family member that they are willing to spend that amount of money to keep him alive. They have my respect for appreciating all sizes of living creatures.
MadamButterfly 8 years ago
Get well soon Bob,bless his owners,all life is precious no matter how small.
Barbara Berg 8 years ago
Everyone is about the family willing to pay the money and considers it part of the family. And I'm just sitting here wondering: 'How tricky the surgery is? Is it even possible to operate on a fish? How do the keep it from dying out of the water?" As I scroll down.
Becca Brewer 8 years ago
Agreed, I wanted to know more about how the vet did it too! I can see from the pictures and make guesses, but I'd like to hear from the vet about the procedure
Load More Replies...
jacluckycat 8 years ago
I'm glad they were able to afford the surgery. If (god forbid) my cats needed costly medical care, i would not hesitate to exhaust all options available. I'm glad Bob is doing well and swimming properly. Props to the surgeon - that's gotta be incredibly difficult to perform surgery on something as small as a goldfish!
Emre 8 years ago
This is a decision of the family and we should have respect for this. Money doesn't matter.
John L Kelly 8 years ago
Absolutely! Its their funds they are spending, not anyone else's.
Load More Replies... Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
I love the fact that they consider him so much of a family member that they are willing to spend that amount of money to keep him alive. They have my respect for appreciating all sizes of living creatures.
MadamButterfly 8 years ago
Get well soon Bob,bless his owners,all life is precious no matter how small.
Barbara Berg 8 years ago
Everyone is about the family willing to pay the money and considers it part of the family. And I'm just sitting here wondering: 'How tricky the surgery is? Is it even possible to operate on a fish? How do the keep it from dying out of the water?" As I scroll down.
Becca Brewer 8 years ago
Agreed, I wanted to know more about how the vet did it too! I can see from the pictures and make guesses, but I'd like to hear from the vet about the procedure
Load More Replies... jacluckycat 8 years ago
I'm glad they were able to afford the surgery. If (god forbid) my cats needed costly medical care, i would not hesitate to exhaust all options available. I'm glad Bob is doing well and swimming properly. Props to the surgeon - that's gotta be incredibly difficult to perform surgery on something as small as a goldfish!
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