Understanding the Koi Herpes Virus

[dragonfly1976]

Excellent information on KHV. I remember when Walt went through this and lost all of his koi he purchased.He went through all of this testing so that it could be documented for all of us to better understand this virus. I believe he also wrote an article on it also with even more info. I’ll try to find it.

[kevin32]

Just curious khv threads are being brought up from 12 years ago. I get accused of trying to slander a dealer that got khv recently. It is good to inform about khv but why 12 years later is getting bumped. We are raising awareness imo and not slandering anyone in particular. Maybe I'm wrong though

[NYkoiman]

Thanks for posting. This was all very insightful

[cindy]

Excellent information on KHV. I remember when Walt went through this and lost all of his koi he purchased.He went through all of this testing so that it could be documented for all of us to better understand this virus. I believe he also wrote an article on it also with even more info. I’ll try to find it.

Just curious khv threads are being brought up from 12 years ago. I get accused of trying to slander a dealer that got khv recently. It is good to inform about khv but why 12 years later is getting bumped. We are raising awareness imo and not slandering anyone in particular. Maybe I'm wrong though

I remember it too.

Kevin, I was looking for pics of a koi with milky colored skin on google and this came up. i met Walt at a seminar right after it happened. Trying to figure out what's happening with a friends fish. Theirs is not a khv fish but the milky skin came up and i started researching some other things and Walts pictures are the best I've seen. Trying to compare pictures to costia. I'm just trying to learn.

KHV is nothing new, I didn't remember Dr. J losing all his fish. He is a vet and It happens to some of the best.

I'm also learning about columnaris and what it looks like on a microscope. I knew nothing about it or how to treat so I've found some great videos so I'll know what to look for, versus Sap. I didnt know columnaris was like moving worms, shy's away from light and is a quick killer.

[cindy]

https://blueridgekoi.com/2013/03/04/...s-treatment-2/

WHAT IS IT?
Columnaris is NOT some exotic new koi disease. However, it can show up occasionally. And when it does, it can cause a lot of damage to your fish in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, it is quite often misdiagnosed.

Columnaris is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Flavobacterium Columnare. It has been around since man started culturing fish, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It is present in practically all aquatic systems, and in the fish in those systems. From a home aquarium to a 500 acre catfish farm. No one is immune.

I've never seen it, I would have missed it.

[Marilyn]

I remember it too.

Kevin, I was looking for pics of a koi with milky colored skin on google and this came up. i met Walt at a seminar right after it happened. Trying to figure out what's happening with a friends fish. Theirs is not a khv fish but the milky skin came up and i started researching some other things and Walts pictures are the best I've seen. Trying to compare pictures to costia. I'm just trying to learn.

KHV is nothing new, I didn't remember Dr. J losing all his fish. He is a vet and It happens to some of the best.

I'm also learning about columnaris and what it looks like on a microscope. I knew nothing about it or how to treat so I've found some great videos so I'll know what to look for, versus Sap. I didnt know columnaris was like moving worms, shy's away from light and is a quick killer.

Hmm, can't seem to find the Kevin post?

[cindy]

Looks like it got moderated so you can't see it. He wanted to know why i bumped it after 12 years.

Marilyn, I'm making pond calls on alot of sick fish here that have no ties to PSkoi. We don't have vets here that help with fish so i'm trying to help them. I remember getting Japan fish years back and they got ulcers and I was helpless. Yesterday's pond call, I couldn't find a thing but she was head down and clamping.

[Goki56]

Hmm, can't seem to find the Kevin post?

Was just approved.....Post #62

[Marilyn]

Looks like it got moderated so you can't see it. He wanted to know why i bumped it after 12 years.

Marilyn, I'm making pond calls on alot of sick fish here that have no ties to PSkoi. We don't have vets here that help with fish so i'm trying to help them. I remember getting Japan fish years back and they got ulcers and I was helpless. Yesterday's pond call, I couldn't find a thing but she was head down and clamping.

I understand, I figured it was a post that had not been approved yet but I do see it in your quote. I didn't want to out that it was a moderated unapproved post when you quoted it.

I hope you are up to speed on columnaris.
Honestly, I can't recommend UGA as a testing resource for KHV given that they don't forward clean samples for verification and recording on a Federal level. We were very pleased with the assistance we got from Purdue. Btw, the state vet (Dr. Strasser) that contacted us also mentioned Kennebec River Biosciences in Maine. One of our customers used them on a recommendation from Kodama and they do report and verify on a Federal level.

[cindy]

I understand, I figured it was a post that had not been approved yet but I do see it in your quote. I didn't want to out that it was a moderated unapproved post when you quoted it.

I hope you are up to speed on columnaris.
Honestly, I can't recommend UGA as a testing resource for KHV given that they don't forward clean samples for verification and recording on a Federal level. We were very pleased with the assistance we got from Purdue. Btw, the state vet (Dr. Strasser) that contacted us also mentioned Kennebec River Biosciences in Maine. One of our customers used them on a recommendation from Kodama and they do report and verify on a Federal level.

Thank you, trying to learn all I can. Purdue is closer to me. KSU or U of K doesn't do the testing even thought they are Agriculture colleges. I'll write Kennebec in my notes. Hope I never have to send a sample. Russ said blood isn't accurate so having a vet spin samples and send isn't reliable?

[rcmike]

Thanks for bumping this thread. I have read much about the symptoms of KHV but haven't seen the actual pictures. They are hard to look at.

[My2butterflies]

These pictures make my stomach hurt. Very informative and appreciated though.
My heart really goes out to those that have had this virus take their stock out. None of my koi were expensive or of high quality, but I’d be so devastated to lose even one. I can’t imagine that loss being added to the financial loss of an irreplaceable koi.

[Marilyn]

Thank you, trying to learn all I can. Purdue is closer to me. KSU or U of K doesn't do the testing even thought they are Agriculture colleges. I'll write Kennebec in my notes. Hope I never have to send a sample. Russ said blood isn't accurate so having a vet spin samples and send isn't reliable?

My understanding is that tissue samples collected properly afford the best possibility of an accurate result. Obviously, with a live koi that a person hopes to keep, that limits options. One option is a properly collected gill snip. Other methods utilizing organ tissue are not possible on a live koi but they provide the most accurate results.

I think Russ may have shared this anecdote here but it's come up in conversations with both Dr. Strasser and Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan. One of the studies done was to inject live KHV3 virus into koi and then tried to get it to break. My understanding is that they were unable to do so. I'm not sure if these doctors had each tried this or if they were citing the same study.
It's a virus; it's adapting or perhaps we're just getting more information on it or both. Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to expose it. They've seen it break in cooler temps than were thought previously. In any case, it makes qt protocols all the more important for all those with koi.

[cindy]

Thank you. I can't imagine the pain of destroying pets or the quantity you are dealing with. I truly hope the source comes out so no one else has to deal with this type of emotional or financial loss.

[NaturesCall]

Wow, it's been 12 Years already? FishNpond was the company Lin and I started. Naturally it didn't take off because all our koi died or were euthanized. Cindy, remember when we took you folk to Canada and they asked if you were carrying any guns because you were from Kentucky?

This hobby doesn't come without challenges. It's how we face them. Lin and I had a decision to make after we lost everything. Quit the hobby or teach others from our mistakes. I'm glad we stuck it out as our new koi are still loved to this day.

Stay strong and learn through each obstacle...

kind regards,
Walt

[cindy]

Wow, it's been 12 Years already? FishNpond was the company Lin and I started. Naturally it didn't take off because all our koi died or were euthanized. Cindy, remember when we took you folk to Canada and they asked if you were carrying any guns because you were from Kentucky?

This hobby doesn't come without challenges. It's how we face them. Lin and I had a decision to make after we lost everything. Quit the hobby or teach others from our mistakes. I'm glad we stuck it out as our new koi are still loved to this day.

Stay strong and learn through each obstacle...

kind regards,
Walt

Good to see you on Walt. I remember going to the casino and the buffet

Glad to hear you stayed with it, would love to see pictures