Endoscopic evaluation and biopsy collection of the gastrointestinal tract in the green moray eel (Gymnothorax funebris): application in a case of chronic regurgitation with gastric mucus gland hyperplasia

Fish Gastroenterology

Fish represent the most common companion exotic animal in the United States and Canada in number of individuals and hold the third place after dogs and cats in terms of the number of households. Beyond companion animals, fish gastrointestinal diseases are particularly relevant for the aquaculture industry as feeding represents about 50% to 70% of the costs associated with fish production. Thus, nutrient malabsorption may have dramatic consequences both for the fish health and body condition score, but also for farmers. In this review, the authors discuss the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the digestive system of fish.

GASTRIC POLYPOID HYPERPLASIA IN MORAY EELS (MURAENIDAE): EIGHT CASES

Gastric and intestinal mucosal hyperplasia and polyps are identified as a cause of morbidity and mortality in moray eels. This report describes the clinical presentations, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic interventions in eight moray eels diagnosed with gastric polypoid hyperplasia. All described cases were humanely euthanized or found deceased, and multifocal adenomatous hyperplasia and polyps extending from the gastric mucosal epithelium were identified in all cases. The moray eels diagnosed with adenomatous hyperplasia and polyps often exhibited anorexia, regurgitation, and occasional changes in buoyancy, and supportive care was unsuccessful in alleviating or resolving these signs.

Fish Surgery: Presurgical Preparation and Common Surgical Procedures

Fish surgical procedures are commonplace in aquaria, zoos, laboratory facilities, and pet clinical practice. To incorporate fish surgery into a clinical setting, an understanding of anatomic differences between mammals and fish, bath anesthetics, and recirculating anesthesia techniques must be developed; a system or different size systems to accommodate anesthesia and surgery of particular species of concern at an institution or practice constructed; and familiar mammalian surgical principles applied with some adaptations. Common surgical procedures in fish include coeliotomy for intracoelomic mass removal, reproductive procedures, gastrointestinal foreign body removal, radiotransmitter placement, and integumentary mass excision.