£300 operation to save constipated goldfish

A fishkeeper from Norfolk has spent £300 on veterinary fees to save the life of his constipated goldfish.

The hour-long operation to remove the blockage was performed under anaesthetic at Toll Barn Veterinary Centre in North Walsham.

The fish's owner, who hasn't been named, initially turned down the treatment on hearing the cost, but he had a change of heart only minutes later and decided to go ahead with the surgery.

Vet Faye Bethell, who performed the procedure, explained that the 7.5cm/3in fish had become constipated because he had a lump close to his anus, rather than because of his diet. A second lump was also removed from the fish's dorsal fin during the surgery.

She said: "I have never done a procedure like that on a goldfish, although I have done it before on more valuable fish like a carp.

"The issue was the fish couldn't poo and it would have eventually become toxic and it would have died.

"There was nothing special about the fish. He just liked it a lot. People love their pets — but that was an expensive little goldfish."

The fish has made a full recovery and is now back in his tank, which is in his owner's office.

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