Nemo The Goldfish Goes On 200 Mile Trip To Have Tumour Removed In Syringe Operation

#1 Nemo went on a 200 mile round trip for the surgery

Vets used a syringe to keep a tiny goldfish alive during an operation to remove a tumour from its head and shoulders.

Nemo, who was bought by his owners for just £3, went on a 200-mile round trip in his goldfish bowl to a specialist vets for the surgery.

Surgeon Sonya Miles and nurse Millie Gardiner had to take the fish out of the water for the 45 minute operation, which cost £200.

They kept him alive by putting a water-filled syringe into his mouth and gills so oxygen could remain in his system.

Incredibly the plucky five-year-old fish has now made a full recovery and is free of his tumour.

#2 Nemo was sent by his owners to vets because he had a very large tumour on his head and shoulders

Sonya, who works for the Highcroft Veterinary Group in Bristol, said: "He had a massive lump on the side of where the neck would be.

#3 Nemo was bought by his owners for just £3

"It was the same size as the fish itself. It's something we see it quite often fish and mammals.

"It was difficult keeping him asleep and alive - there was a hairy moment when heart stopped but we managed to revive him.

#4 The tumour after it was removed from Nemo the goldfish

"We kept Nemo asleep by putting a syringe into his mouth and gills. We had to keep oxygen in system.

"The owner phoned up and said he is completely back to normal and doing really well."

#5 Vets used a syringe to keep Nemo alive during the 45 minute operation

Delighted owners Roy Hands, 59, and his wife Caroline, 54, from Aston Clinton, Bucks, praised the vets.

Roy said: "He got a tumour that grew and grew. We saw that another fish was operated on so we thought we have got nothing to lose.

#6 Nemo was sent by his owners to vets because he had a very large tumour on his head and shoulders

"While the operation was going on my wife found a penny on the floor outside of the surgery.

"We got a phone call saying that Nemo's heart had stopped but he had pulled through.

#7 Nemo's heart stopped during the surgery but he is now recovering

"He is doing brilliantly. You would not know he had been through an operation."

Roy added: "That penny is now behind his tank."

#8 These pictures show the remarkable recovery of Nemo the goldfish - after vets removed a huge tumour

Nemo lives with Roy and Caroline along with three cats, two dogs, a hedgehog and a parrot.