14 DAY TRIAL // Just days ago, a veterinarian in North Melbourne, Australia, operated on a pet goldfish that had a tumor sticking out of its head and that was in dire need of medical attention.
It is understood that the fish, whose name is George, is now doing much better than it did on the day of the intervention, and is well on its way to recovery.
One really lucky pet goldfish
Media reports say that George belongs to a man who currently lives in the city of Melbourne in Australia and who happens to be very fond of it. In fact, it is said that the two have been together for about 10 years now.
According to Metro, George's owner loves his goldfish so much that, when vets told him that they had to either operate on it or put it to sleep, he did not hesitate to pay for the surgical intervention that eventually saved his pet's life.
This is despite the fact that the surgery cost this man about as much as a dozen brand news goldfish would have, had he decided to say goodbye to George and head to the nearest pet shop in search of another life companion.
Not the simplest procedure in the books
Information shared with the public says that George was operated on by Dr. Tristan Rich with North Melbourne's Lort Smith Animal Hospital. Since the tumor was attached to the fish' brain, the surgery was rather tricky.
More so given the fact that George weighs just 80 grams (roughly 2.82 ounces), and consequently, Dr. Tristan Rich had to pay very close attention during the intervention so as to make sure that his scalpel only cut out the tumor.
In order to operate on the goldfish, Dr. Tristan Rich first had to put it under general anesthesia. The surgery took 45 minutes to complete, and George was closely monitored during this entire time so as to make sure that it was getting enough oxygen.
Once the tumor was removed, the goldfish was placed in a bucket containing oxygenated water. In just a short while, the fish was swimming around as if the tricky brain surgery had never happened. Hence, his owner was allowed to take it back home.
Apparently, pet goldfish can live to reach the age of 30, provided that they are well looked after by their owners. If this is indeed the case, there is no doubt that George and its human will be together for several years to come.