Baby Duck with crooked leg!! $60?!?!?!?

[austin12895]

I just got home from the vet to get my baby duck checked out. He had a crooked messed up leg, and when we went outside he seemed to go into "shock". All the other ducklings were fine except him. So I took him in to see what they would say, and just for them to look at him was $30, and the splint is going to be another $30-40!! I was so suprised!! Was it really worth it? Do you think he has a good chance of getting that leg fixed?

 

[KellyHM]

You think that's a lot?? Have you ever gone to the ER to get your leg splinted?! It would be 100's (if not 1000's) of dollars! It is definitely worth it if he will regain function of his leg.

 

[austin12895]

I sure hope so! I just dont compair my huge leg to a tiny leg smallee than my big toe very well

 

[KellyHM]

Quote:

Yeah, they are pretty tiny. One of my hens ripped the end of her toe off somehow and I am now replacing the bandage twice a day, soaking in Epsom salts, and giving her oral antibiotics. Mind you I'm doing all this while she's angry b/c I have to take her away from her 1 wk old chicks to do it! The things we do for our creatures!

 

[horsejody]

I'm compiling a list of vets that will see chickens. Please let me know who the vet is and where they are located. $60 isn't too bad. If you have one within driving distance, you might want to find a farm vet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=200108

 

[austin12895]

Yes I agree! The vet said i will most likely have to change the splint often

 

[CoopCrazy]

The only real question is .. Is it worth it to you ? Personally I could'nt justify that much money but if you got it to spend and are willing to do so , thats your call. Hope the lil one gets better soon.

 

[Drafthorsegal]

At least you found a vet to see your chickie. When I had a peep with an issue, no one saw chickens in my area. I finally talked to a great vet who helped me out via the phone, he said there wasn't much a vet could do for chicks and ducks which is why most won't see them.

I'd have gladly paid $60 to get her leg fixed.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Realize that being a veterinarian is a business and has expenses. The vet has to make a salary, pay his/her rent, expensive equipment and supplies, wages to his employees. While it would be nice to not have to pay much, the practicality of that isn't very high. I don't mind paying for the vet's time, but I do mind when I get gouged for supplies or medicine.

To me those should be sold at or near cost. If they want money-making sales items, stock leads, collars, fancy food dishes, and other non-necessities. My chicken vet sells at cost. My dog/cat vet gouges.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Oh, I wanna see a pic of the splint!! In case I ever need one, perhaps I can make it.

I don't think that's a bad price, really. Though I do see what you're feeling, and now you've got an expensive duck.

Of course you'd never be able to sell it and get your money back. But, you know what, I doubt you wanted to sell it anyway.

Just be glad it wasn't a horse. It's typically $300 every time I have to call them for one of the horses! And I NEVER get out of the vet under $100 for one of the dogs, and that's just maintenance.

So in the grand scheme of things, not bad price, but when you look at that tiny duck, yup, seems like a LOT!

BTW, if you ever have something like that again, search this forum first, and perhaps the remedy will be right here. I know there are MANY posts on dealing with splayed legs, crooked legs, etc., with the chickens, but not sure about ducks.