Gas Bubble Disease

Figure 1. Rainbow trout with several gas bubbles in the anterior chamber. Note the haemorrhage both dorsally and ventrally, the latter “coning” through the ventral iris pore

Gas bubble disease (GBD) is the fish equivalent of the “bends” in human scuba divers. It is the result of gas coming out of solution in the bloodstream, thereby leading to the formation of emboli, especially in smaller blood vessels, including rete. Thus, lesions are common in gills, and the choroid gland of the eye. In water that is supersaturated, fish equilibriate with that supersaturated gas, just as human scuba divers equilibriate with gas at high pressures. It is not known precisely what prompts the...

Haemorrhagic Smolt Syndrome (HSS) – Gross Pathology

Atlantic salmon, with visceral fat haemorrhage and pale liver.

HSS is a condition of unknown aetiology, which affects Salmo salar leading to dramatic pathological changes. The disease occurs in pre smolts, smolts and post smolts. Affected fish typically have good body condition, without obvious weight loss; they show lethargy, superficial swimming and dark colouration. Bilateral exophthalmia and increased respiratory rate can sometimes be observed The external gross findings include pale gills, with haemorrhages in the branchial arches and lamellae, plus petechiae and ecchymoses ventrally and at the base of the fins. Internally, generalized visceral...

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