Help needed with Betta

[SemiCharmedQuark]

I took in a betta that was living in absolutely horrendous conditions. The water was almost black. One of those betta vases--no filtration. Anyway, the fish itself was gray and extremely thin. It just lays in its hospital tank at the bottom on the gravel. I've tried treating it for parasites, fungus and bacterial infection, but his condition has not improved.

He is still just lying on the gravel, struggling to breathe. It is clear he is suffering, but I have no where to take him. The vets in the area are domestic animals only, or occasionally farm. What should I do?

[Lorien]

1. Look for an online vet that works with exotics

zoos and aquariums.Some charge a small fee, others give free advice. I did this last year when the raccoons in my neighborhood came down with Sarcoptic Mange. A very helpful net vet (wish I could remember his name) told me about over the counter medication for horses with bots that would cure them.I used his advice and cured all but one baby raccoon!

[Kashka-Kat]

2. thank u for caring

Fish are living creatures too & smarter than a lot of people think. There are a bunch of forums for fish and aquariums w/ helpful knowledgeable people, if I have a chance later I'll look for some. Off hand all I can think of is the aquarium forum on gardenweb.com-- there's some knowledgeable betta people there, if nothing else they could point you in the right direction. (I just have pond goldfish so am not familiar w/ Betta requirements). Good luck let us know how he's doing.