Cream Puff is sick....what do I do for her?

[jeepchick]

Puff died this afternoon at 330. Thank you for your suggestions and prayers everyone.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

I'm so sorry

 

[jjthink]

Sad to hear this...

JJ

 

[nuchickontheblock]

Sorry about your little one. You did what you could.

 

[Jaxmom]

So sorry to hear that I was hoping she would pull thru.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Awww, I'm so sorry to hear that about Cream Puff. Murphy's Law of Chicken Depredation says that it's always your favorite birds that get taken first, and I guess that's true whether the predator is an animal or a germ. You really did all that you could for her, and at least she went receiving TLC from you.

 

[luvinrunnin]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
JJ, it's wonderful that you were able to get treatment for your sick hen, and that she continues to do well today. But I have to wonder, if you don't mind me asking, just how much did all that cost? There may be others who would consider that course of action for their chickens if they knew they could afford that cost. But others will know to pursue other options.

It's become a real emotional & ethical challenge these days. With so many great advances in veterinary care we're faced with the choice of being able to treat our animals with some wonderful life-saving measure that costs a lot of money, or allowing them to die without it. That's why this section of the forum is so very helpful for so many of us who must put practicality over sentimentality when it comes to our beloved chickens.

It's also helpful to know the option of contacting Peter Brown at First State Vet Supply http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/, that was a good reference to provide. Jaxmom, you said that you gave your ailing hen Terramycin, I know that's usually available at the feed store. JJ, what was the antibiotic your vet gave to your hen?

 

[jjthink]

Hi SSU/Carol - It was a few years ago so Im afraid I don't recall the cost -I think that particular time there was the office visit, blood work and meds..(I apologize, I don't remember which antibiotic he used - it may have been Baytril - I should keep a log or something. p.s. terramycin is oft criticized on BYC as having very little impact.......). Per the vet's advice, I kept her there overnight during which he hydrated and tube fed her. She went from looking like she was on death's door on Labor Day to acting reborn by the next day - full of joy and zest for life. And when I returned her to her beau BJ roo, he literally danced for joy.

Vets vary so much in what they charge, that it's hard to get much of a sense about one from another. To me it's been worth working extra hours or jobs through the years in order to see the joy return to wondrous beings, and to grant them more time to enjoy life. I rest easier knowing I've done everything in my power, so I don't have any emotional or ethical struggles about it. But that's just me - I leave it for others to find their own way.... just give the best advice I can for the circumstances described and then it's out of my hands......(I'm afraid I'm feeling morbidly like the kiss of death on BYC anymore because when I sense a situation is urgent and might require a vet to possibly turn it around, the poor bird usually dies shortly afterward

). Be well.
JJ

 

[jeepchick]

Quote:
Im sorry..not to sound like a jerk here but I really didnt want this to become a platform for "I take my pets to the vet". I, along with many others im sure would love to take our chickens to a vet but can't afford it. Working extra hours, 2 jobs and what not is GREAT if that works for you but I for one have a husband, kids, horses, dogs, cats, pigs, chickens etc etc. I do not have the time to work extra hours or an extra job to be able to afford to take chicken to the vet. If I had the ability to just jump in the car and head to to vet I would not be wasting precious time asking for advice on a forum board. Noone on here that tries everything in their power to do to fix ailing chickens should never not be able to "rest easy" or have "ethical struggles" about it. As much as I love having my chickens and believe me I am quickly turning into a crazy chicken lady, they are livestock. I am not willing to financially strap my family or completely screw my budget to spend $200-$400 on a chicken vet bill. You are most certainly welcome to your opinion about this but please think about your posts and how they might make a person feel who has just lost a pet. I for one do not need the extra guilt because I could not take Puff to a vet. She died laying in my lap wrapped in a blanket. I had been giving her drops of water with electrolyets in it to keep her hydrated. I was giving her some and she put her head down and asperated some and basically drown in my arms. I had to try and comfort her as she stared at me terrified because she couldnt breathe and nothing I tried to do helped her. I feel bad enough already.