TELMIN
Duncan Griffiths Copyright
© FEBRUARY, 2001, D, GRIFFITHS, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
It is my intention in this paper to
set out the criteria for a new treatment for trematode infestation,
this will be a new slant on an existing chemical for the treatment
of skin and gill flukes in koi (carp) A series of trials have been
accomplished to set a standard for this treatment.
My thanks to Jackie Brown for her considered opinions, ideas and support
not to mention the countless donated koi for experimentation, and
last but not least her friendship.
My thanks also to my friend Spike Cover, all knowing, all-seeing,
sage, soothsayer, and former javaline catcher for the 1986 Olympics.
Seriously, my thanks to my friends, Spike, Roddy and Roark who's undying
passion for helping the hobby of koi keeping, inspired me to this
project.
Note:- These are my findings and to the best
of my knowledge and capability are correct as I see them * all doses
for trials are in UK (imperial) gallons*
Please be wary! There is mention in this article of measures in both
mg and gm
be careful not to become confused between the two, they are very different
measures
Introduction
The hobby of keeping koi is plagued by many diseases and parasites,
none more fearful to the hobbyist than skin fluke (gyrodactylus) and
gill fluke (dactylogyrus) The purpose of the following trials is to
try and establish a further treatment protocol that is more accessible
to the average hobbyist than Supaverm or levacide.
For quite some time now these two products have been in use by the
top end koi hobbyist to eradicate trematode infection (flukes). For
this purpose, it is generally accepted that Supaverm or levacide are
the ultimate treatment for fluke, needing no repeat dosage. However,
these two products are controlled substances and NOT readily available
to the general public or the average hobbyist.
It had therefore been my quest to find a viable alternative. Supaverm
is made by a company called JANSSEN, it contains Mebendazole @ 75
mg/ml and Closantel @ 50 mg/ml, and is in suspension in a liquid form
to serve as an oral sheep drench. Mebendazole belongs to a select
group of chemicals, which includes Levamisole and Flubendazol, all
of which are commonly found in typical wormers for livestock. After
doing some research into wormers, I discovered another product from
JANSSEN called TELMIN, an oral equine wormer.
TELMIN contains Mebendazole @ 100mg/g in granular form, the same active
ingredient as in Supaverm, but TELMIN is readily available over most
counters at big livestock/pet supply outlets. It was thought that
TELMIN would be a suitable alternative to Supaverm if it could be
proved to be as effective as Supaverm in destroying trematodes.
Trials
The purpose of the Telmin trials was to try to determine the following:
1. If Telmin is indeed capable of eradicating trematode infection.
2. Telmin's short and long term effect on koi health.
3. Telmin's effect upon the biomass of a filter system.
4, Telmin's adverse effect's on other species of fish dwelling in
a mixed pond System i.e. goldfish
5. To determine if a repeat dose is required
6. Finally to establish a safe administration protocol.
Supplies of Telmin had been obtained and approximately 8 koi of small
sizes infected with flukes, a filtered quarantine system (156 gallons)
has been set up and running for approximately two weeks in readiness
for the onset of trials.
Quarantine Tank Data
Tank 156 imp gallons filtered
Temperature 12 c
Ammonia 0.25 mg/l
Nitrite 0
Ph 8
Kh 6 dh
Gh 12 dh
O2 9 mg/l
No ultra violet lighting. Unfortunately there is a slight ammonia
reading as the filter was not yet settled, but as after each test
the tank will have to be emptied to void the system of TELMIN for
the next trial and the ammonia reading is thought to be of no consequence
at this initial stage of the test, for reasons that will become apparent
in due course.
Trial 1
A white koi of no discernible bloodline, 5/6" in length is the first
study case. This koi is infected with substantial numbers of flukes
and just a very small percentage of these are gill fluke. The subject
is also suffering from dropsy and it was thought that any recovery
from dropsy for this fish was unlikely. It was therefore, decided
to use this particular koi initially, as a test to see if TELMIN would
indeed do what it was thought it would, i.e. eradicate flukes. No
thoughts at this time will be accredited to the survival of the subject,
indeed, there would be no meaningful data to gather from the death
of the subject either, as it could not be determined what the cause
of death was, dropsy or toxicity of TELMIN or both. Approximately
1.2gm of TELMIN = 120 mg of Mebendazole was added to the tank which
contained the trial 1 koi at 6 pm on 13.03.01. *This dose is equivalent
of 1.5 gm Telmin per 200 UK gallons* This mg of TELMIN is an approximate
dosage as used with Supaverm as a starting point. The trial was looking
to achieve a dose rate of approximately 0.75mg of Mebendazole per
100 imp gallons. This was achieved by gram weighing the Telmin and
dissolving it in a little boiling tap water and spreading around the
edges of the tank.
As previously mentioned, the tank water temperature is approx 12 c
and should be an ideal starting point as there is no known lower limit
for the application of its sister product Supaverm. It is hoped that
the subject will live long enough to allow examination for flukes,
after a suitable time period for the product to work; this is in no
way assured because of the dropsy affecting the test subject. If death
of the subject occurs before examination, no meaningful data can be
obtained from a dead specimen, as toxins produced by the corpse will
very quickly make the parasites evacuate the host. A suitable time
period based on how supaverm performs would be 24/48 hours.
24-hour test
results
The first examination has been of great interest and quite fascinating
with a newly acquired, more powerful microscope enabling a higher
magnification and a clearer picture into the inner workings of the
ectoparasites. Exactly 24 hours into the trial, two mucus scrape samples
were obtained from the test subject, which at this time was still
alive. These were microscopically examined and the following observations
noted; 24 hours into the test a reduction in flukes was observed,
but there were still substantial flukes present. However, upon further
examination more than 50% of these were not very motile with a further
50% of this sample showing no signs of movement at all. This was at
x 150 magnifications. The magnification was increased to x400 and
further discoveries were made. Clear indications of breakdown in the
cell walls of some of the parasites were noted. On one particular
Gyrodactylus an embryonic unborn erupted exactly half way down the
trunk of the fluke through the side of the cell wall, with no sign
of life in the adult or embryo. Upon going to x1000 magnification,
a clearer picture showed the inside workings of the fluke, it was
noted that the metabolism of the fluke appeared to be winding down,
not showing much activity.
It is hoped that the first test subject will survive another 24 hours,
as this is felt to be the time period that should show the required
result if any…
48-hour test results
Somewhere between 24 and 48 hours the test objectives were achieved.
The test subject was again examined by mucus scrapes and four samples
where obtained, plus two gill samples, the subject was then euthanased.
The gill samples were placed under the microscope at x150 magnification
and no fluke's were evident. The examination was repeated at x400
and again the gill samples were clear. Upon examination of the four
mucus samples only two flukes were discovered, one dead and misshaped,
and one which looked dead, but upon higher magnification X 400 there
was seen to be a very slight movement inside a badly disfigured shape.
Upon increasing the magnification to x 1000 it was noticed that the
cell wall had, indeed, been breeched at about the mid point of the
trunk. And it seemed that this was the reason the fluke could not
maintain shape.
Conclusions of the first trial It seems that the first trial of Telmin
did indeed prove very able to eradicate fluke, and judging by the
first samples that were examined before treatment began, it is my
best estimate, that assuming a small percentage of living flukes may
have been missed upon the last examination, Telmin achieved at least
a 95% kill rate of trematode, this figure may be higher as the assumed
possible 5% missed observations of fluke is always going to be an
unknown factor. It appears that the elimination of fluke occurred
somewhere in between the 24/48 hour mark as expected based on experience
of Supaverm.
Next trial. The next trial will be set up in the next two to three
days and the purpose of this trial will be to repeat the success of
the first trial. Furthermore, to try and establish if any harm is
done to the well being of the subject (koi). Telmin will be added
to the treatment vat over four hours to simulate what is current practise
with Supaverm. The subject will not be examined, after the initial
examination to establish numbers of flukes prior to treatment, until
48 hours have elapsed, as we now have a time scale to work from. Further,
the water parameters will be as near perfect as possible with no trace
of ammonia Other parameters will be as before.
Trial Two
Trial two was commenced on Monday 19.03.01, after first voiding the
system of Telmin from the previous test. The water parameters were
tested and found to be the same as the prior trial except ammonia
was not detectable. Two koi were placed in the test vat and one was
scraped and scoped to determine the numbers of flukes present, when
systematically going through the slide with a moving stage microscope,
a staggering 162 flukes were counted, and as before a small percentage
of these were gill flukes. It was decided to subject two koi to Telmin.
In this test the objectives were as previously described to:
A, Repeat the success of the first trial
B, to further determine the effects on the koi's health, It was therefore
decided that two-test subject's would show a bigger picture. The dose
of Telmin was administered commencing 6.00pm on the above date, and
the dose rate the same as the previous trial.
24 HOURS
24 Hours into the test study subjects are looking quite happy and
swimming in a quite normal fashion, and indeed are showing no signs
of stress or redness.
48 HOURS
Two test mucus samples were taken from the subject that was scraped
before treatment began, the other subject was left alone so as not
to cause further stress to this fish, as this test is to establish
the effects on the health of the koi also. Upon examination the two
samples showed approximately 17 flukes left, of these 17 about 30%
showed very little body visible, just the two prime haptor hooks,
another 30% were very disfigured, looping like a rope with knots tied
in it, with parts of the cell wall not visible under x400 magnification.
The remainder of the flukes had some movement, although not resembling
a typical fluke-like shape. It seems that this test also repeated
the success of the first trial although more flukes were visible.
But this particular subject displayed 162 flukes under the microscope
prior to treatment, so it would seem that a better than 95% kill rate
was achieved yet again But at some time during the test the water
temperature dropped quite dramatically to 5c and it was felt this
could have slowed the treatment down.
168 HOURS (7 DAYS)
The two test subjects were again examined after seven days of treatment,
they were alive and well, no signs of stress or post-opportunist infection
after being treated with Telmin, and the test subjects were not subject
to any partial water changes, as the worst-case scenario was required
for evaluation. Two mucus samples were obtained from each fish for
microscopic examination and the results were conclusive; no flukes
at all were noted. As expected, Trichodina was still in evidence but
Mebendazole does not eradicate Trichodina. The two test subjects were
placed back in the main q-pond, where they will remain for further
study. The two initial tests have proved that Telmin is indeed capable
of fluke eradication on a scale similar to that of Supaverm, and the
trials have so far confirmed that the koi suffers no ill effects during
or after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS AFTER TEST TWO
The results so far have been very rewarding, and the first two objectives
have been accomplished and completed. Monitoring will continue with
the test subjects to note any long-term effects. It is hoped that
these two koi will become re-infected with fluke, so as to under go
repeat treatments for further data points. Further tests to be set
up as soon as possible will include:
A. To reaffirm the first results
B. To determine an upper dose rate before damage to the koi occurs.
C. To establish the effects on the bio filter
D. To see if Telmin is compatible with salt
E, To establish the effects on other species of aquatic life, in particular
goldfish (see note below) Note: it might be the case that Mebendazole
is not the active ingredient in Supaverm, which damages goldfish.
As Telmin contains no Closantel, and Supaverm does. Test " 5" will
establish if this theory is fact or fiction.
TEST THREE
Test three has now been set up and is a validation test, this will
commence on Saturday 31:03:01 With two new test subjects, these test
subjects will be left in the treatment tank for one week with Telmin
added at the above dose 1.2 gm of Telmin = to 75mg of Mebendazole
per 100 imp gallons. This test is to purely to validate and back up
the findings of the prior tests before proceeding further, as test
four will try and establish an upper treatment dosage.
Test Three Findings
Test three terminated 9 days after the 31.03.01 . The microscope showed
only one skin fluke and the test subjects were not showing any signs
of stress or ill health and have been back in the main quarantine
pond for a further week and are exhibiting normal behaviour and feeding
patterns. This third test was deemed a success.
Test Four
The purpose of test four is to establish the upper dose limit, e.g.
the point at which Telmin begins to affect the well being of the koi.
Test four commenced on 15.04.01. The two koi used in this test were
also infected with a substantial number of flukes and have been subjected
to 100 mg of Mebendazole per 100 (imp) gallons, as before no partial
water changes will take place during the trial, which will last for
the next seven days. This will give a worst-case scenario.
Test four results
As of today's date (May 5, 2001,) the test subjects are still alive
and looking well despite having been subjected to a 33.3% increase
in dose rate. These test specimens were scraped and scoped over three
weeks ago, and as expected were clear of flukes. The test specimens
were left in place, in the quarantine tank for the purpose of evaluating
the long-term effects on their health after being subjected to a considerable
overdose with no partial water changes, to simulate the worst-case
scenario. In fact apart from a Telmin over-dose and food, nothing
else has been added or subtracted from their environment. (Also the
biomass has not been significantly negatively affected,)
It was deemed viable to end this particular test after nearly one
month, as no detrimental effects on the well being of the test subjects,
were being observed, in fact, the two koi look in very good health.
Trial Five
After a lengthy break trial five was set up on Saturday the 22nd of
September 2001. This is hopefully to be the last of the trials prior
to publication of this document. This trial was set up with three
goldfish in the 156-gallon system to establish if Mebendazole is toxic
to goldfish. As mentioned previously Supaverm is toxic to goldfish
but it has never been established if it is the Mebedazole element
in Supaverm that is the root cause of the damage to said species or
the closantel .as Telmin contains only Mebendazole we should be able
to ascertain which element is responsible for the destruction of goldfish
or maybe a combination of the two.
To this end the test subject (goldfish) where, on this day subject
to the standard dose of telmin 75 mg per 100 imperial gallons which
happens to be the same as the standard dose of Mebendazole in a typical
Supaverm dose
Trial five results
Exactly one week from exposure the fist of the goldfish died, symptoms
include severe haemorrhaging to the mouth, around the eye, the edges
operculum, base of the pectoral fin, the area between the pelvic fin
and around the vent. 24 hours later test the second goldfish died
followed 24 hours later by the last goldfish all three displaying
the same symptoms Conclusion to trial five Based on similarly witnessed
evidence with Supaverm and goldfish, coupled with the systematic expiry
of all three goldfish, its safe to assume that Telmin is extremely
toxic and deadly to goldfish as is Supaverm. However it cannot be
assumed that closantel is not a killer of goldfish in its own right,
for the reason we have not tested closantel against goldfish and Supaverm
displays similar symptoms but a lot more severe than mere haemorrhaging.
In the case of Supaverm and goldfish the haemorrhaging is accompanied
with quite a degree of fin rot and body rot, suggesting that the closantel
element in Supaverm has an accumulative detrimental effect
Conclusion to the first five trials
The five trials have been a huge success and have achieved all they
set out to accomplish we have established the following,
1,Telmin is more than capable of trematode eradication with no ill
effect on the koi.
2, a suitable dose rate for that purpose has been established. 1.5
gm Telmin per 200 UK (imp) gallons
3, a safe margin of error in dose rate has also been established.
4, a method of administration of the product to the pond system.
5, Telmin is capable of working down in temperature as low as 5c (as
proven in trial two) whilst not being desirable to do a treatment
of any description at this low temperature, it was a case in point
that Telmin could perform at these low temperatures.
6, an estimated 95% kill rate was observed
7, No upset in bio function of the filter system was observed.
8, a typical set of pond parameters in order that Telmin is to function
well were also established.
Summary
The tests are at an end for me, its time to move to pastures new,
but I hope it may be of use to the hobbyist and if nothing else has
stimulated interest for the hobbyist to set out and experiment in
an orderly manner and try things like this for themselves, I'm not
unique but I do have a fascination for experimentation It has been
established that Telmin is another weapon in the fight against flukes
both gill and skin, is it as good as Supaverm, well I'll let you good
folks be the judge, its certainly a powerful tool. Thanks for taking
the time to read and consider this article
Duncan