$50 vet charge for chicken diagnosis?

[cackleberrycoop]

That's wonderful that you have vets who know about chickens - not terribly common. I agree completely that it's your money, your bird and your life, so cudos on taking her in; I hope she thrives after your love and care. The only thing that I would be cautious about is breeding her..... any bird, no matter how beloved, who is especially needy of human intervention to survive, well, it's not the greatest trait to be passing on to future generations.
Best of luck to your girl!

 

[cackleberrycoop]

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[aukuma]

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We don't have a rooster, so no breeding. I'm keeping her inside just so the others dont come down with it or pick at her.

 

[theoldchick]

Many years ago I paid over $100.00 for Mr. Banty Pants medication. I was living in an old mobile home and drove an old truck whose floorboard was porous with rust and needed serious repair. Didn't get the new floor but saved Mr. Banty Pant's life. I could have never purchased the laughs that crusty little turd gave me. Oh, so many times did he lower my blood pressure by darting about and living the good life as the miniature master of his flock.

This is the very reason I work in the veterinary business. I pay good money to make sure my skills are top notch so someone's little partner can continue to give joy in our otherwise tough lives.

We gotta do what we gotta do....ain't no guarantees in this world but our non-human friends help us get along during tough times. Ain't no harm in giving them a little help when they need it.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Make sure if she is laying that you offer oyster shell, or something with calcium (milk?) as you switch to grower feed.

Also, here is a helpful diagnosis chart (scroll to the bottom) website for future reference:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

and articles:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/contents.htm

Also if you are worming there is an egg withdrawal time usually 2 weeks---which wormer are you on?

 

[marymac]

I think there is a simple answer to this type of dilema. Don't do any thing you can't live with. What every one else thinks doesn't matter.

 

[franklinchickens]

I agree with a previous poster - if she is a pet - I would definitely take her in. I've had one of mine in who turned out to have a nasty respiratory infection. I left her there for 3 days for antibiotic shots (I wasn't about to do that myself) and she was cured. It was worth every penny. She's my daughter's pet (1 of 4) and she would have been devastated if we hadn't done anything. I also could have spent the money on other things but in our world, our pets mean a lot to us and it was our decision to spend our money in a way that was meaningful to our way of life.
Total ended up costing us $115 which I thought was pretty reasonable considering what it has cost us for dogs and cats in the past.

 

[cackleberrycoop]

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Oh! How sweetly put. That just made my day.

 

[sourland]

The true value of a diagnosis lies in determining what is wrong so that you can protect the rest of your flock. Sometimes sick animals can not be saved, but prophlactic treatment can protect the rest of the flock. I'm not sure that you got your money's worth. Did they do any blood work or bacteriological culturing?

 

[coldinnh]

A.T. Hagan :

As for whether you should spend the money or not it comes down to whether she is livestock or a pet. If she's livestock then schedule an appointment with Dr. Hatchet. If she's a pet spend what ever you think is appropriate.

I think of my girls as livestock but also an investment and pets. When you agree to raise an animal and take it from another home - then you agree to care for that animal. The same as a dog, cat, horse, hamster, etc. The only benefut of having my cat is allergy pills, love and lowered blood pressure - plus someone to massage my scalp from time to time when I have migraine or warm my feet if they ache. If I had a horse I would be spending more on feed and not even getting eggs.

I think if you have the funds, time and availability then you should take her to the vet. As chickens are an investment - IMHO one should do as much as possible to ensure a significant return.​