I posted a similar post on "Goldfish Discussions", but I had a question I was hoping to hear several opinions on. I have a Large Calico Oranda named Gossomer who was staying in a 10g quarantine tank because he was a new family member. While cleaning his tank a wroght iron picture frame fell into the tank almost cutting his tail in half!!! I rushed the calico to Dr.Atlas (he treats goldfish). He said he thought Gossomer was going to be okay in time with the right treatment.
Dr.Atlas cauterized the wound with iodine and sent me home with 10 days of antibotics called Trimeth/Sulfa 960mg. He advised a daily 25% water change, high protien food and removal of carbon from the filter. In additon he taught me how to dry his wound with a q-tip, then apply betadine ointment. The betadine ointment is a good treatment for goldfish wounds because it is not only a antiseptic, it is also a microbicide. Which means it will keep away fungus issues that often occur in aquaiums.
I hope Gossemer will be okay, unfortunatly he may loose his tail fins due to the accident. I am not sure if they will grow back, but I doubt it. I would like to know everyone's oppinion about Gossemer being rear finless. I don't want him to have a miserable life. He seems to be happy and eating well, other than having a bit of navigation difficulty. Will he only "survive" and never "thrive"? What would you do? Euthanize?
Thanks for reading this!!Rae

Rae, all of God's creatures are very adaptable. If Gossomer's wound heels up OK... Gossomer will have no reason not to thrive.

no there would be no reson for him not to thrive. he will be doing great in no time

There's your answer. If he is eating and acting normally other than a little swimming difficulty, there is no reason to euthanise. Fish adapt very well to disabilities; blind fish manage very happily for example. No reason Gossomer shouldn't do the same and live to a ripe old age, with or without his tail.

The only time I would consider euthanasia is if the fish is clearly beyond all help, is obviously very distressed or is so seriously injured it cannot perform even basic functions like eating or swimming unaided.

Actually for the most part goldfish regenerate fins fairly quickly. As long as the injury isnt too close to the base of the tail he most likely will grow it back. Ive seen fish whose fins were completely gone get them back in a matter of weeks. Of course it may not look the same as before but usually they can still swim fine. My oranda got his tail eaten off by some larger fish and during his time in quarantine it grew completely back. I think your fish will be just fine.

BTW I think its amazing that you have found a vet to treat goldfish. You are very, very fortunate.