THREATS FROM THE INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CHEMOTHERAPEUTICS IN NURSING AND REARING FISH

Andrzej K. Siwicki, Barbara Kazuń, Edward Głąbski, Krzysztof Kazuń, Elżbieta Terech-Majewska*

Zakład Patologii i Immunologii Ryb IRS Olsztyn
*Katedra Chorób Zakaźnych i Inwazyjnych Wydziału Medycyny Weterynaryjnej UWM w Olsztynie

ABSTRACT. The application of chemotherapeutics, including antibiotics, in the nursing and rearing of fish is strictly dependent on the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to a given preparation. Inland fisheries is one branch of animal husbandry that uses significant amounts of chemotherapeutics, especially antibiotics. One side effect of this is the growing environmental threat that stems from using such large quantities of antibiotics, which also has a substantial impact on the quality of foodstuffs of fish origin. The accumulation of chemotherapeutics in pond bottom sediments poses an immediate threat to fish health, as well as to the aquatic environment and has a direct impact on the condition and health of fish. The most disturbing phenomenon accompanying the use of chemotherapeutics is rapidly increasing resistance. Applying chemotherapeutics under the guidance of an ichthyopathologist is required. The basic principles of applying chemotherapeutics in fish nursing and rearing must be followed.

Keywords: bacterial infections, chemotherapeutics, threats