Friday, February 04, 2000
Aquarium animals get top-notch medical care
Vet has to fish around for patient
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — A big blue catfish at the Oceanic Adventures Newport Aquarium reacted a lot like a young child when it was time to see the doctor: It found a place to hide.
What awaited the fish was a visit to the aquarium's version of a hospital operating room, complete with anesthetizing equipment and a surgical laser.
Aquarium veterinarian-in-residence Tim Mullican enlisted the assistance of vet Mark Collett from the Park Hills Animal Hospital, who used his laser to remove a growth from the tip of the catfish's head, sort of a fishy nose job.
But before the vets could do their thing, aquatic biologist Mark Lewin spent about 45 minutes in the Ohio River exhibit chasing and rooting under rocks to finally corner the wily catfish.
It was a busy day for Dr. Mullican, who also performed a cavity examination on a zebra shark, using a special fiber-optic scope with a tiny light in the end to search for leeches.
The 2-foot-long shark from New Zealand was clean, and therefore presented no threat of infestation to other fish in his new home with the parasitic leeches.
“The aquarium has been really fortunate to receive a great deal of assistance from veterinary specialists in the Greater Cincinnati community,” Dr. Mullican said Thursday as the blue catfish was placed in a “recovery room” tank while the anesthesia wore off.
“For example, we have received surplus equipment such as a gas anesthesia machine and surgical staplers from Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Blue Ash,” he said. “Dr. Ron Kolata, a board certified veterinary surgeon with Ethicon, has provided us with surgical expertise.”
The use of the $40,000 surgical laser was thanks to Dr. Jay Barton, who runs the Park Hills Animal Hospital.
Dr. Marcia Whiteley, a veterinarian with Diplomat ACVR, an ultrasound and radiology consulting service, performed at no cost to the aquarium an ultrasound exam on a pregnant stingray.
Use of the $12,500 scope for the shark inspection was donated by Andy Rohan, regional sales manager for Olympus Corp.
“Veterinary specialists play a major role in being able to treat the animals here,” Dr. Mullican said. “Having access to the latest equipment is not enough. You need the expertise of the people who know how to use the equipment.
“There is a lot of expertise in this community.”
Dr. Collett, assisted by animal technician Missy Hewer, removed a tumor from the catfish. The laser not only cut the tissue but immediately sealed the wound, which was then treated with an antibiotic and surgical glue.
“In two weeks, you won't even be able to tell where the tumor was removed,” Dr. Mullican said. “He'll be ready to go out on dates.”
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