Seahorse - Pouch Evac? Meds?

[bulletsworld]

Originally Posted by Beverly

When massaging the pouch, do not rub the skin as it will come off. To do a proper pouch massage, you put the outside of your thumb at the base of the pouch and let the thumb roll up to the top of the pouch. Sort of like if you are doing a total finger print of your thumb, is the best way to describe it. You should also see if you can get the pouch open a bit at the top, so when the air is pushed to the upper part of the pouch, it can escape.

I have lost males to air in the pouch, but have saved a few too. Good luck. Phone me if you need some encouragement, Lee.

UPDATE:

Thanks for all the tips guys. I did indeed try your method Bev on Friday when I first tried this. What a stressful procedure. So hard to do this all with one person and nerve rakin. The Seahorse was not happy. I got lots of air bubbles out and was so proud of myself, thinking for sure this odda do the trick. The pouch had sunk alot. I put the male seahorse back in the tank and after a few minutes he was swimming back to normal with the exception of having a bubble on his tail. He still wouldn't eat though.

THEN... next morning this male Kuda was floating upside down again!!! DAMN IT! Tried again to release more bubble with no luck. Worried I'm injuring his pouch with pressure. 20 mins later I put him back tank to rest and hope for change. Nothing and he still wouldn't eat.

(Sunday) This morning... He's still floating. This is the 5th day with not eating. I am going to try pouch evac again, using the bobby pin method (Dales advice..thanks Dale) to better keep the pouch open while trying to get more air bubbles out. Thinking the bubble in his tail is what is keeping him a float. Not sure if anything can be done about that bubble. Thinking this Seahorse is already dead. I dont think I can help him, I'm exhausted and thinking I'm doing more damage then any good.

Any one wanna try? Any advice?

Besides his conditon, with out him eating, how long can a seahorse really live without food? Any humane way to euthanize a seahorse. Just rips me apart to think that he's suffering and starving to death.