Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary Service

OCA is at The Aquatic Expo 2023 in Charlotte! Lots of gorgeous coral, fish, exotics, and even jellyfish! We’re doing vet clearances for exhibitors and parasite screens at our booth. Come say hi, and look for the Veterinarian Examined signs!

Urgent: Koi for rehoming!
One of our very favorite clients is urgently having to rehome their koi. These fish have been recently seen by OCA, and are very loved and well taken care of. There’s a group of 11 actively breeding adults (2-3’) that need rehoming together. The 25-30 yearlings can be split into 2 homes. These guys do have doitsu and butterflies mixed in.

Owner is offering transport and no charge for a good home. Located near Greenville!

Hi! We’re back! More on that soon.

But attention Cary!! Looks like they’re flushing the water system - use caution when doing water changes or top offs for the next few days. I missed all my fishy patients and am so happy to be back on the road 🧡💚💙

A Note from Dr. Emanuele:
Unfortunately, due to an extended family emergency, Oak City Aquatics is having to temporarily close until at least the end of October. All existing clients can email questions and I’ll do my best to answer, and telehealth consultations are available on a case by case basis. For emergency care, please contact Avian and Exotic Animal Care or NC State College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital. Thank you all for your understanding, and I can’t wait to be back with you and your fish - better than ever!🌊🐠🐙💙

OCA is proud to support the efforts of the Sustainable Reef, and to participate in Reefsmart of course! Enter the raffle for a comprehensive quarantine planning session and written report to keep that fancy system healthy 😻

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘆 𝗢𝗮𝗸 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗳𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗥𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵!

- 45 minute zoom telehealth appointment
- Written quarantine plan with recommended meds
- Treatment and acquisition plan
- Overview of common health problems for target species (inverts and fish).

Looking for something to do at the end of July? Reefsmart is an amazing annual event, and this year is going to be GIGANTIC! See you there!

Anyone need a fish or coral vet? 🥼🩺 Do you keep having disease in your tank, and can't figure out why? Stop and have a talk with Ashley from Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary Service - yes, this is a thing! Dr. Ashley is a CertAqV, (Certified Aquatic Veterinarian so there is literally no one more qualified to help you! She is also giving a talk on how to properly quarantine and avoid disease from the start, so be sure not to miss that! 🤓

Spawning season is here! This gorgeous girl was humanely euthanized for chronic illness and suspected viral disease, but check out all these eggs! It should probably be the Easter Koi, not the Easter Bunny 🐰🐟

Sending love to the amazing crew of BeWild Reptile Rescue. Cousin was a star patient and will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

We have some very sad news to share with everyone today. Unfortunately Cousin, our wonderful White’s tree frog, passed away over the weekend. Cousin had been struggling with chronic cestode parasites since he was donated to us 2 years ago. These parasites are always terminal, and our veterinarian thinks that his old age was letting the parasites proliferate and taking a heavy toll on his body despite medications and vet visits. Cousin had visited both Avian and Exotic Animal Care and Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary Service, which is run by an aquatic/amphibian veterinary specialist.

While we only had the pleasure of knowing Cousin for 2 years, we absolutely loved this frog and he charmed every person he met. Cousin was a goofy, vocal frog who loved food and had a great appetite. He was likely also an extremely old frog—while this species can live 15-20 years, we were at least Cousin’s fourth home and we did not know his age. Cousin was likely originally wild caught, which explains his lifelong parasite issues. He also suffered from front limb deformities limiting his ability to jump and climb like a normal frog, likely from previous metabolic bone disease.

Cousin’s huge size, as a male, does indicate advanced age for this species. We did confirm that he was a male on his necropsy. We’re going to miss this frog greatly, he made such an impact on people and was a wonderful creature to care for. Please share any Cousin photos you have in the comments—the picture below is from one of his last days.

Rest In Peace Cousin 💚

We don’t currently have a vet tech/assistant, but Willow might just be the lady for the job. 🧡

It’s a lucky vet indeed that gets to see one of their favorite celebrity patients while wearing a t-shirt of them! Cousin is a wild-caught White’s tree frog that lives with the wonderful crew of BeWild Reptile Rescue. Like many wild-caught White’s frogs, he has a chronic parasitic condition where worms erupt out of abscessed pockets in his skin. Cousin is also an old boy, but he couldn’t have a better, more supportive group of caretakers. Feel better soon, Cousin!

Yes, Oak City Aquatics also sees amphibians! This includes frogs, salamanders, axolotls, and more. 💚

It's been a busy few weeks for OCA! Here's the first podcast, for your listening pleasure:

"On this week's episode of Aquadocs, Michelle interviews Dr. Ashley Emanuele, owner of Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary Service, a mobile fish practice that serves hobbyists and fish enthusiasts in North Carolina. During our conversation, we explore the value, potential and need in the hobbyist community for veterinary support. And also we discuss a case (aka showdown) she recently worked on involving a koi fish and a bobcat. Spoiler alert, the bobcat wins this one :-(.

Listen to “Koi vs Bobcat" and other Aquadocs episodes on your favorite podcast streaming site (Apple, Google, Spotify): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/53-koi-vs-bobcat/id1528042513?i=1000552560467 And follow us on instagram ."

Heads up, Raleigh fish keepers!
It’s always the best practice to declorinate your water in a separate bucket before adding it to your tank, instead of doing both in your display. This system change may be an issue for pond owners doing large water changes.
At the end of month, an increase in ammonia added to the water may also make your parameters wonky. As always, keeping an eye on your water quality is the best thing you can do for a healthy tank!
Give us a call or text with any questions. (984) 302-4114.
💙🐟🐠🐡🦞🐙 Dr. Em

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/your-raleigh-tap-water-might-smell-taste-like-chlorine-in-march-heres-why-you-shouldnt-worry/

Your Raleigh tap water might smell, taste like chlorine in March. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry While the water will remain safe, they suggest checking the color of the water before using it to wash white clothes.

Check Dr. Em out on the most recent episode of The House Call Vet Cafe podcast!

Have you ever thought about being a mobile vet for fish? NO?!!!!!! Well today, we're expanding your horizons on what Mobile House Call veterinarians can do! Join us as we welcome the amazing Dr. Ashley Emanuele! You won't want to miss this episode! ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Topics covered in this episode:​​​​​​​​
-Mobile fish practice​​​​​​​​
-Companion/pet fish as sentient beings​​​​​​​​
-Pain management in fish​​​​​​​​
-Surgery in fish​​​​​​​​
-End of life care in fish​​​​​​​​
-Fish guardians/caregivers/owners​​​​​​​​
-Koi fish patients​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Links & Resources:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
-To learn more about Dr. Eve Harrison you can visit her website at www.dreveharrison.com​​​​​​​​
-To learn more about the House Call Vet Academy or to enroll in my online course visit www.dreveharrison.com/house-call-vet-academy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Dr. Emanuele’s Social media links and website:​​​​​​​​
-To learn more about Dr. Emanuele, visit her website at www.oakcityaquaticsvet.com​​​​​​​​
-To like and follow her on Facebook visit: www.facebook.com/OakCityAquatics​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Music! ​​​​​​​​
In loving memory of Dr. Steve Weinberg 1959-2022​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
Thank you to our sponsors!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Rockin’ Pets, Rollin’ Vets at www.rollinvets.com​​​​​​​​
PriVet Pet Care at www.privetpetcare.com​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Check out this episode and hit that subscribe button on any podcast platform at https://pod.link/1604252727. Let me know what you think!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

How are we feeling heading into February?

Such a fun graphic by Philippine Seas!

We’re back! And if you happen to find yourself up at 6:30am ET tomorrow, Dr. Nora Hickey of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and myself will be on SiriusXM Doctor Radio talking fish medicine and answering your questions.

A Note From Dr. Emanuele:
Everyone knows I'm a big proponent of quarantine!
Unfortunately, this week my two youngest kiddos tested positive for COVID and I am symptomatic. I am in the process of rescheduling this week's appointments. Telehealth appointments are available this week for existing clients, and regular appointments will resume following a negative test for me this weekend. I apologize for any inconvenience and am grateful for your understanding and support! See you soon.

Dr. Emanuele was interviewed for the How I Got Into Veterinary School blog! Check it out and pass along to any vet students or hopefuls you love! 🐠❤️

https://howigotintoveterinaryschool.com/fish-vet-dr-emanuele/

Learn About What It's Like To Own 2 Mobile Veterinary Practices Dr. Ashley Emanuele is a fish and end-of-life care vet who owns 2 mobile veterinary practices! She’s going to tell us how she did it, what the pros and cons are, and give some advice for those of you thinking about opening their own practice!

We had such a great time speaking with the awesome Your Vet Wants You To Know podcast! Check this episode out and subscribe for more excellent info about all kinds of veterinary topics. Thanks, Dr. Lancellotti!

Are you interested in adding pet to your home? Dive into this fun-filled episode with Dr. Ashley Emanuele, certified , and you’ll be up to the with information on how to care for these finned friends. Learn how bacteria are necessary to keep your fish swimming along, what’s wrong with Elmo’s fish tank, and how giving a fish a pea will not fix everything. This is a fascinating episode that will have you hooked, even if fish don’t float your boat.

Connect with Dr. Emanuele at Oak City Aquatics Mobile Veterinary Service

Listen now: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/applepodcast

Dr. Emanuele is in California this week, spending time with Dr. Jessie Sanders of Aquatic Veterinary Services. We’ll be triaging cases via phone/email and scheduling for next week. Sorry for any inconvenience!
What do you think…do we need our own fishmobile? 🙂

We 🧡 Carol!

Carol is down most of a tail but feelin’ fine. Thanks for having OCA out today, BeWild Reptile Rescue!

A pond appointment in less than a minute? Okay!

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdQ32QTN/

oakcityaquatics on TikTok Today’s appointment! This client gets an A+ for excellent care and maintenance, and her fish look great.

Meet the Staff of Oak City Aquatics!

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdmGJnCt/

oakcityaquatics on TikTok Meet the OCA Team!

Come on BuzzFeed, fish vet isn’t an option? Tell us what you get!

Choose Your Own Adventure: What Kind Of Veterinarian Will You Become? DVM = Golden Ticket to many Career Paths. Which one will you take?