Indigo the Betta with Swim Bladder

Question
QUESTION: Hi Linda,
I finished the course of Tetracycline with no positive results for Indigo (Betta). Since I couldn't get him even slightly interesed in eating the pea, I put him back on the epsom salt baths once a day for 20 min as you suggested. They don't seem to bother him in the least (except for catching him). Still no waste in his bowl. I know it has been a least a week since he has eaten anything, maybe closer to 2 weeks!  Where do I go from here?

ANSWER: Hi Shirley,
I am very sorry to hear this.  Tetracycline is usually a five day treatment, but since he isn't doing well, the best thing now is to put him in clean conditioned water, and let him be.  There is nothing else you can do.  The epson salt treatments are only stressing him...poor thing.  I don't believe in these treatments, and would discontinue them.  All you can do now is treat him with kindness, and try feeding him dry Daphina.  I'm so sorry, I wish there was something else you could do, but there isn't, and I would hate to give you hope when there is none left.  When a betta gets sick, we have to act quickly, two weeks is a long time to wait before treating.  When a betta stops eating, this is the first sign something is wrong.  Maybe in clean water, he may perk up...I hope so.  Daphnia may help as a laxative.
I find that this was done a little fast.  Tetracycline is a 5 day treatment.  He didn't have the full treatment, and then he was put in epsom salts right away.  Let him rest now from medication, and epsom salts.  You must be patient, and follow the treatment completely, and then wait a day before puting him in epson salts.  He has been through enough, so let him be in normal conditioned water, and he may waste hopefully.   
Wishing you a nice holiday season, and hoping your betta will turn around, and show some sign of getting well.  
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Lynda,
I just wanted to let you know that Indigo passed away thisafternoon. I am so sad that he is gone and I will miss him very much, but I am also relieved that his misery is over. Thank you for all your suggestions and your efforts to help me save him.   Shirley

Answer
Hello Shirley,
I feel so bad for you as I know how attached we are to our bettas.  Swim Bladder, is the worse one for Bettas from what I can see.  Many people do not know how to care for Bettas, and this is not your fault, as some store owners don't care, and will say anything to sell their bettas.  Some of them don't know how to care for Bettas, so how can they give advice?  It is sad.  The Betta is one of the most mistreated fish on the market, and there is nothing we can do about it except try to let people know how to treat them.  Unfortunately, it was too late for Indigo, but I am hoping you will get another betta.  You will love him too, they all have nice personalities, and we do get attached to each, and every one of them!!
Thank you for letting me know, and don't give up...
Lynda