Azactam in Koi
(See I told you this would be from A to Z lol)
Azactam was brought to my attention by a Koi hobbyist with a medical background named Dr. Galen Hansen. He'd been using it for a while in Koi. I tried it in Koi and Koi, goldfish and pond fish and became impressed at its safety and effectiveness. Azactam [also known as aztreonam] is a "monobactam" antimicrobial which is produced by Squibb Labs and which is used in human medicine against resistant bacterial infections. Like Chloramphenicol, Azactam kills bacteria [bactericidal], and does not simply impair or stun them. Azactam is not very expensive.
Indications for the use of Azactam would be any infection which is sensitive to Azactam. I reach for Azactam when I have very valuable Koi, goldfish and pond fish with body sores, and systemic symptoms of infection. It would be the drug of choice if you were trying to reverse bacterial Pop-Eye or Dropsy. Azactam can be used in small fish.
I would give any small fish a dose of 5-10 milligrams. Normally, I obtain Azactam in one gram bottles and reconstitute it at 100mg/ml but several sizes and strengths are available. If you have the 100mg/ml strength, you should dose it as follows:
A very small Koi, goldfish and pond fish [2 inch] would receive 0.05 ml [zero-point-zero-five] delivered intra-peritoneally. If you do not feel comfortable injecting the very small fish, do not attempt it.
A larger Koi, goldfish and pond fish, with a body length of three inches, would get a full 0.2-ml [zero-point-two] dose.
A very large Koi, goldfish and pond fish, such as a six-inch Ranchu (excluding tail) would get 0.3-0.4 ml intra-peritoneally.
A very large Pond Comet would receive 0.6 cc intra-peritoneally.
I would not hesitate to inject daily for two or three injections and then inject every other day for a total of three to four injections. It is pointless to inject over and over again without reward. If the drug is not working, the diagnosis should be re-evaluated or a culture and sensitivity test performed.
Factors influencing dose
If you are combating Bacterial Gill Disease, you should inject daily for at least three days. If you are receiving fish and choose this drug for prophylaxis, you will have success even when injecting only once. Remember that each injection represents capture and handling stress.
Precautions
Azactam can be frozen after reconstitution for long term storage. If not refrigerated, discard un-used portion after 3-4 days.
For more (Like the B-Z of Koi and their care see DrJohnson.com)
