The VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate)

[Bon]

Now, this is kind of a rant as well as a discussion.

Currently one of my Koi (im a japanese koi collector) has developed a bacterial infection. Now normal treatment regime would involve a long term treatment of Acriflavine at 10 times dosage with salt at 0.5% water concentration over 2 weeks followed on by Proflavine hemisulphate with salt at 0.5% water concentration for upto a month untill it clears.

It is safe, it doesn't involve sedating or injecting the Koi and 99% of the time will clear it up unless the infection has effected any of the major organs.


Now I havent had a problem with a koi for a couple of years but when I wen't to buy some Proflavine today from a specialist dealer, I was told I can't as its been restricted by the VMD.

Proflavine Hemisulphate can only be used by a Vet or under direct Veterinary supervision. Large fines are imposed for using this medication without Veterinary involvement.

So simple enough go to my local vets... take in a bacterial swab if they wish to do a sensitivity test, get the medication to treat my Koi.... if only it were that simple.

None of my local vets... or any within a decent distance from my house seem to have a clue about Koi, as such I am unable to get the medications I require to heal my fish up!

How in any manner can this be helpful, now I know the VMD is put in place to help stop uncontrolled use of powerful drugs, and say what is good and what is not to be used on which animals, but when I rang up the VMD i was told to go to my vets... my vets won't prescribe anything because they don't have the experience with Koi... catch 22.


So why is it, one body in the UK wich is supposed to help Vetinary care, is only hindering the treatment of my Koi, which may end up dying if the infection isn't fixed fairly rapidly.

Why can't responsible pet owners who specialise in exotic pets can't get what they require to look after their animals due to the inexperience of others?


(PS if there are any Vets on here who might be able to help, drop me a PM)

 

[Pmr Man]

http://www.yorkshirekoi.co.uk/_display.php?id=43

if your willing to travel to yorkshire?

 

[Bon]

http://www.yorkshirekoi.co.uk/_display.php?id=43

if your willing to travel to yorkshire?

Here in lie the problem.

I can't / don't wish to take my koi, and stress it even more (in its already weakened state) such a distance. As shoving it in a bag for a couple of hours isn't going to do it any favors.

 

[Pmr Man]

http://www.yell.com/find/s/Agriculture/Vets/UK/West-Midlands/Birmingham,-West-Midlands

i'm having a flick through here. You Might Want to look

 

[Bon]

As much as I apreciate what your trying to do, I have already done it

 

[Pmr Man]

if your willing to splash out, could you get a koi vet (or something of the sort), from lets say london to come over to yours?

 

[Bon]

Which take sus back to the original point.. please try to keep on topic.

I know whats needed, I have used it before and don't need to spend 500 quid for a vet to come tell me what I already know.


Why should the VMD place these restrictions on medications if the people who are supposed to hand them out (Any vet) can't because they don't have the experience, and thus make the people who need the medications unable to get them. Its such a rediculous system.

 

[Matski]

Seems like you have to lay out your options and pick the best of a bad bunch.

I would ask the vet if he can order the drugs in if you pay upfront. I'd then offer him more money (money talks best) until I got to/near the kind of amount it would cost me to take it further afield. Failing that, I guess you either "acquire" the drugs yourself, or take it to the nearest vet possible.

Failing that you can send it to me and I will take it down to my nearest Shogun Teppan-yaki and introduce it to some sweet chilli dipping sauce - I don't do returns.

To answer your question - unfortunately we need bureaucracy to prevent bad people (or stupid people) from acquiring the drugs and selling them on, or (in the case of stupid people) inserting them into inappropriate, non-fish based orifices etc. Some people need protection from themselves and the state is only glad to oblige bad people and stupid people - not people just trying to make their way or look after their fish.

 

[Lovetone]

Google

2 mins

Result

http://www.thenottinghamkoico.com/prod378.html

 

[Bon]

Google

2 mins

Result

http://www.thenottinghamkoico.com/prod378.html

Perhaps you missed the bit about it being restricted by the VMD, the sites that show it for reference purposes only.


If they had any in stock and sold it they would be breaking the law.


You can also find it at http://www.koicarp.org.uk/koi_health.htm, http://www.koicarp.net/water_treatment/medical_chest1.html ect ect.


But it just goes to show, and I will add, this has been used by Koi keepers for ages, it is one of the more specialised treatments and a walk in punter wouldn't go into a shop and pick that up.

so why the change, surely if Proflavine (a derivative of Acriflavine) was taken off, why not acriflavine aswell?