Multiple recurrent cutaneous masses in a cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) with progression from benign lesions to high-grade carcinoma

Geriatric Freshwater and Marine Fish

As pain management finally becomes accepted for this last of the vertebrate taxa, fish medicine is finally reaching the sophistication of other vertebrates. The diseases of aging fish in captivity therefore need to be addressed. The degenerative organ/tissue changes and neoplasias of fish deserve the same diagnosis and treatments of their terrestrial counterparts including pain relief, anti-inflammatory medications, chemotherapy, surgery, joint supplements, regenerative cell therapy, and photobiomodulation. Besides the challenges of an aquatic environment, recognizing normal changes in older fish will be addressed in this article. Clinicians can appreciate the diversity of fishes and their unique anatomies, physiologies, and behaviors which translate to creative medicine.