Bloated Betta Fish

Question
Hi Lynda, I've been dealing with my fish, dion and his bloated belly.  It's not significantly bloated like some images i've seen on the internet, but there is definitely bloating.  He is less active as well. Swimming seems a little awkward for him, and I'm assuming that's because of the pressure on the swim bladder? I've decided to "ask an expert" as I've been doing my own research and tried things such as epsom salt and cooked peas and no results yet. He's been like this for almost a month now and I'm not sure where to go from here.
As soon as i noticed the belly i stopped feeding him, did the research and such and early on he was still as active.  From then on though, he is less active and looking to lean on things cause he was always swaying to one side. However good news is that presently he doesn't seem to need to lean on things. He's mostly always level. He sometimes is at the top barely moving, and sometimes at the bottom also barely moving. There are a few times when he was almost vertical, mouth at the top, tail at the bottom.
but basically, my main question is what to do or go from here. It's slightly discouraging as he's been like this for a while and i see small improvement. I did think it was a good thing that he is still alive though? If it was some bacterial problem or something, I don't know if he would make it this far!
Other info: I'm presently giving small doses of tetracycline as i thought there was a chance of inflamed gills (but i think i was just being paranoid and looking for any small detail). I am continuing the small doses (following instructions on box) too see if it has some effect anyway or incase there was some bacteria. I've been doing that for the past week.
He used to be in a 4.5 gallon tank, but i later moved him to a fish bowl that is about one gallon since he doesn't move as much and i thought it'd be easier to watch him and for him to get air. The tank is currently heated as i've heard that can assist healing.
Will it just take more time? is there anything i can do? continue peas, how much? any tips? is the damage permanent? ways to make him happy? will the bloating ever go away? any help will be so  appreciated!! thanks for your time

Answer
Hi Marielle,
Putting your Betta in a one gallon bowl did not help his situation.  This change brought him stress, and stress fish are difficult to cure.  Put him back in his 5 gallon bowl at the same temperature he is now in.  Bettas do well in 80-82 degree temperature.  If your Betta is not in this temperature, raise his temperature slowly.  One degree every two days.  Bringing up the temperature too quickly could be deadly.  Buy a silk plant so he can rest on the leaves, and continue treating him with Tetracyline, and the pea if he will eat it.  Daphnia would also help him waste.  Tetracycline should help him with Swim Bladder Disease.  I have also had success with Kanamycin, but this medication is sometimes hard to find.  Furan-2 is also good.  Bettas should have varied diets, and they should be fed 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  Example: 2 pellets or 2 flakes for one meal.  Daphnia should also be part of their diet.  One pea a week is very important, and on the day you feed him the pea, feed him nothing else.  We must always remember that the bettas tummy is the size of his eye, so we must always be careful when feeding them.  They are gluttons, and sometimes we tend to give them more, but it is better not to give into him.
I hope the little guy feels better soon.
Lynda