I got a request
from a club member to consider writing an article on Carp Pox. There is more than sufficient information you
can find from an internet search, but like a lot of koi related subjects you
will get several ideas on what you should do and it can be confusing at
times. I’ll give you the standard
science mixed with some of my observations and opinions around proposed options
for what you may consider doing when you encounter what you think is Carp Pox.
Cyprinid
Herpesvirus 1 or Carp Pox is an external viral disease which presents itself in
what is often called “candle wax” appearing as small usually round protrusions
milky white to gray to occasionally pinkish. The resulting lesions are benign and
most often will disappear along with warmer water and may reappear when
seasonal colder water returns. However,
I have observed it on koi in southern California during the warmer months but
most koi owners have told me it was worse when the pond water was cooler. I have often also observed a small lesser
raised and discolored area around the primary Carp Pox site both on the fins
and the body.
Just to put your
mind at rest, the dreaded deadly Cyprinid Herpesvirus -3 or Koi Herpesvirus
(KHV) does not present itself with the same visual appearance and your koi
don’t start dying.
Carp Pox has
been reported as an inherited gene passed down from generation to generation
and been present in ornamental and wild carp for as long as anyone can remember;
however I know of no current testing recommended
to do on your koi to detect its presence and I’m told breeders do not and have
no desire to test for its presence. The
Carp Pox waxy spots are considered mostly unsightly/cosmetic and harmless by
themselves.
Carp Pox is
considered contagious, but requiring for the most part direct contact between
koi for the virus to be transmitted.
There is a lot of general discussion about this virus condition usually
appearing in young koi but as the koi’s immune system matures it gets the upper
hand and the outward signs of Carp Pox are reduced and then in most koi
disappears altogether as the koi reaches maturity with a fully developed immune
system. I have seen a very few cases
where Carp Pox just takes over an individual koi and becomes so disfigured that
it was euthanized. If your koi was born
with the inherited gene, it will never be eradicated (omnipresent) but can be
generally controlled by its immune system.
As for direct transmission with no current outwardly signs – once a koi
is infected it’s for life.
This is one of
those articles that just needs pictures.
I don’t want to just run afoul of copyright laws so I would ask you to
go to look at the numerous pics available on the web or for your viewing
pleasure view carp pox pictures in koi - Search .
Once you see the pics you most likely will say oh that’s what my koi had
as it is easily recognized. There are
numerous articles on this koi condition but I like this one as a good general
guide for your reading
https://pondinformer.com › koi-carp-pox-treatment-guide
So on to Cure - For Carp Pox itself there
simply is NONE.
Now it’s time
for me to share my personal thoughts on all the other stuff out there on cause
and treatment. For your consideration:
Most koi
veterinarians I know or have read their published remarks on this subject
recommend you do nothing as direct treatment to an individual koi with Carp Pox
unless having trouble eating or breathing due to lesions causing the problem.
However, there
are a host of things you can consider when dealing with Carp Pox and your koi
pond.
First when you
acquire koi – buy only mature koi with no signs of Carp Pox – while true not
practical for most. On a more serious
note when buying younger koi from a dealer/breeder LOOK at all the koi in the
tank and if you see any koi with Carp Pox then pass on buying any
koi from that tank.
Keep a close eye
on the Carp Pox affected area!!! Look
for signs of secondary infections both parasitic and bacterial. I’ve actually seen algae growing at/on the
Carp Pox site. If concerns develop
scrape for parasites by microscopic exam and treat appropriately – I don’t
support just treating prophylactically.
When bacterial infection appears, I will normally remove the Carp Pox site
and treat the bacterial infection accordingly.
Remember to consider a visit to the vet if the condition worsens and
antibiotics are now required to complete treatment. A common site for Carp Pox is at the ends of
all koi fins and I like to catch it early before any signs of infection
by removing the affected area and treat with potassium permanganate and 10% Povidone
Iodine. I do not get as aggressive when
removing Carp Pox affected tissue from the leading ray of any fin especially
pectoral and dorsal and if no signs of infection, I leave it alone. I treat body secondary infections about the
same way – clean area GOOD and one-time potassium permanganate solution treatment
followed by 10% Povidone Iodine. Again, just treating secondary infection
otherwise leave it alone. As a
disclaimer of sorts most veterinarians I know do not approve of direct
application of potassium permanganate to a koi wound. I’m not a vet, folks - just your local
KHA.
I got to put a
plug in for your pond maintenance as good water quality will help reduce all
forms of secondary infections!!! Please
review your koi load (overcrowding) as direct contact is considered the main
means of transmission in your pond. I
guess you could heat your pond during cold weather months, but that is both
impractical and koi are four season animals. Even review your koi nutritional
requirements as a means to assist your koi’s immune system. Why
you say “…to replicate, the virus will need to continually release virion
particles which work to seek out new cells to hi-jack. During this period the particles are
vulnerable, and the (koi) immune system can recognize and destroy them before
they find a healthy cell.” (Pond Informer – Jan 26, 2018 – Edward Jansen)
So your best
defense against Carp Pox and most everything else is a continuously monitored
great pond environment to support nutritionally fed healthy koi and their
immune system. Be safe and healthy!
r/koi jack
