Pet owner pays £300 for surgery on constipated pet goldfish

A goldfish owner from Norfolk has reportedly splashed over £300 on vet fees after his pet goldfish became constipated.

When the owner took his apparently sick fish to the Toll Barn Veterinary Centre in North Walsham, he was told that his goldfish is suffering from constipation and would require an operation estimated at £300 ($450).

Vet Faye Bethell who operated on the goldfish said: "At the end of the day they're all pets and everybody does have a commitment to their pet.

"[The goldfish] was constipated because he had a lump blocking his bottom, rather than because of his diet or any other reason. The issue was the fish couldn't poo and it would have eventually become toxic and it would have died."

Bethell operated on the goldfish after first letting it rest in water in which a carefully measured anaesthetizing agent was added in.

After being removed from the water, the knocked out goldfish was allowed to rest on a waterproof drape after which anaesthetic water was inserted into its mouth using a tube.

"We've got one nurse who bubbles anaesthetic gas through a tube that goes in through its mouth and over its gills, and then we have a second nurse to monitor with a probe to check the heart rate," said Bethell, reported BBC.

"Obviously, we discussed all the options [with its owner] and he made the decision to go for surgery."

Bethell worked on removing the goldfish's blockages using a scapel. After carefully removing the lumps, Bethell sewed each cut with three stitches and used a special glue to cover the fish's scales.

The goldfish gradually gained consciousness following the hour-long operation lead by Bethell and two other veterinary nurses.

Goldfish are estimated to have a lifeline between 10 to 25 years in captivity.

The pet goldfish was two years and 10 months at the time of the operation, according to Mashable. Bethell confirmed that the goldfish had made a complete recovery after the operation.

Bethell has in the past also removed a 12kg skin tumour from a two-inch long snake and a stone from the ureter of a guinea pig.