needing to know where to find the products my critters need

[Chickerdoodle13]

Metronidazole is illegal for use in farm animals. I would definitely not use that in poultry and it will be very difficult to get from reputable sources without a prescription. Even then, veterinarians will not prescribe it for anything considered a "food animal", even if your animals are pets only.

They other stuff like feeding tubes can probably be ordered online. I'm not sure about lidocaine but it's worth talking to your vet to see if they feel comfortable giving you a bottle. I have seen people use it for dehorning their own cows and goats so I'm guessing they got it through a good relationship with their vet.

Veterinarians are not just important for getting drugs but also knowing what drugs to give when. Using certain antibiotics can lead to resistance if used at the wrong time. Lots of ambulatory vets will be very helpful over the phone once they have been out to see your animals and they know your herd.

Edited to add: I realize you mentioned you have dogs and cats as well. I still wouldn't recommend giving them antibiotics without seeking help from a veterinarian. I would just have a conversation with a vet and let them know your situation and how much you are willing to spend. I know I would try to work with an owner trying to save animals as long as everything I was doing was legal!

 

[casportpony]

I just received my injectable penicillin that I ordered online.
But this source has only a handfull of antibiotics.
I'm still trying to locate other supplies such as a source for other necessities
Something like flagyl or lidacaine or similar without scripts.
I want to be more prepared for anything else.

For Flagyl search "metronidazole for fish", or Fishzole or Aquazole. That's one of those where the price can really vary. Warning - these drugs and the other drugs in this family are banned for use in *all* food animals. Other drugs in this family that are used mostly by pigeon fanciers are dimetridazole and rodondizole.

Lidocaine without a script... That's one I haven't seen, but I haven't looked too hard for it. Let me know if you find it.

 

[casportpony]

Metronidazole is illegal for use in farm animals. I would definitely not use that in poultry and it will be very difficult to get from reputable sources without a prescription. Even then, veterinarians will not prescribe it for anything considered a "food animal", even if your animals are pets only.

They other stuff like feeding tubes can probably be ordered online.

I'm not sure about lidocaine but it's worth talking to your vet to see if they feel comfortable giving you a bottle. I have seen people use it for dehorning their own cows and goats so I'm guessing they got it through a good relationship with their vet.

Veterinarians are not just important for getting drugs but also knowing what drugs to give when.

Using certain antibiotics can lead to resistance if used at the wrong time. Lots of ambulatory vets will be very helpful over the phone once they have been out to see your animals and they know your herd.

I don't think many of realize just how much science is behind choosing drugs and doses. Vets spent many years in school, and then many more years in practice.

Edited to add: I realize you mentioned you have dogs and cats as well. I still wouldn't recommend giving them antibiotics without seeking help from a veterinarian. I would just have a conversation with a vet and let them know your situation and how much you are willing to spend. I know I would try to work with an owner trying to save animals as long as everything I was doing was legal!
I am definitely pro-vet and strongly recommend that everyone develop a relationship with a vet. Once you have done that, a vet is more likely to do stuff like sell you bags of fluids without seeing your bird.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I think a lot of vets may not know the rules for food animals and illegal drugs, so it makes it difficult when a chicken or something they are not familiar with walks through the door. It's difficult because a lot of "illegal" drugs can be used in pet birds like parrots, but protocol is very different for poultry. Likely, few birds will ever get caught with drug residue but the consequences if one should slip through should be enough to scare most veterinarians into learning the rules! Lol You are right though that a lot of vets will prescribe them though (I know we've had the discussion of baytril in birds) Granted, many of these drugs won't really harm the animal itself. It's more about preventing resistance and protecting our own licenses.

 

[crb1487]

My vet runs my specimens I bring in but, unless she sees the animal, she won't "write" the script. But she does tell me what She would prescribe if she were treating the animal. I have a large amount of animals here and I've treated them "naturally" most of my life, so I'm aware of how to care for them.

Unfortunately, there was a terrible issue with a neighbor's neglect that exposed my hens to issues that require more that nature can provide.

While apple cider vinegar is great for my hens, recently, some are on penicillin and have had some on Baytril in the past and I'm very concerned about yeast issues arrising.

Many of my 3yr flock will have many medical issues to come unfortunately.

Currently, Miss Gobble Gifts is in early stages of heart failure n fighting a bacteria, being treated with penicillin and still trying to find a viable alternative for lasix (which my Vet said, she would start her on, if she were treating her)

The vet bills would be over burdening with the 1 separated flock.
But, I can't let them suffer or go neglected. I do what I can
To keep them happy and comfortable .

So, this is my 1flocks sad story.

I'm wanting it to be a happier end of life than their start of life.

 

[casportpony]

I think a lot of vets may not know the rules for food animals and illegal drugs, so it makes it difficult when a chicken or something they are not familiar with walks through the door. It's difficult because a lot of "illegal" drugs can be used in pet birds like parrots, but protocol is very different for poultry. Likely, few birds will ever get caught with drug residue but the consequences if one should slip through should be enough to scare most veterinarians into learning the rules! Lol You are right though that a lot of vets will prescribe them though (I know we've had the discussion of baytril in birds) Granted, many of these drugs won't really harm the animal itself. It's more about preventing resistance and protecting our own licenses.

I thought this was interesting.
http://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2012/feather-meal-clf.html

 

[casportpony]

My vet runs my specimens I bring in but, unless she sees the animal, she won't "write" the script. But she does tell me what She would prescribe if she were treating the animal. I have a large amount of animals here and I've treated them "naturally" most of my life, so I'm aware of how to care for them.

Unfortunately, there was a terrible issue with a neighbor's neglect that exposed my hens to issues that require more that nature can provide.

While apple cider vinegar is great for my hens, recently, some are on penicillin and have had some on Baytril in the past and I'm very concerned about yeast issues arrising.

Many of my 3yr flock will have many medical issues to come unfortunately.

Currently, Miss Gobble Gifts is in early stages of heart failure n fighting a bacteria, being treated with penicillin and still trying to find a viable alternative for lasix (which my Vet said, she would start her on, if she were treating her)

The vet bills would be over burdening with the 1 separated flock.
But, I can't let them suffer or go neglected. I do what I can
To keep them happy and comfortable .

So, this is my 1flocks sad story.

I'm wanting it to be a happier end of life than their start of life.

Sorry you're having health issues in your flock, but glad you have a vet that will do the testing for you because that will save you a bunch of money.

For yeast infections you can buy ketoconazole for fish, and Medistatin (nystatin) powder for pigeons.

 

[crb1487]

Definitely. Never had to use for samples til last year and seems it's a revolving door now. Thank you for the help

 

[casportpony]

Definitely. Never had to use for samples til last year and seems it's a revolving door now. Thank you for the help

One thing you might want to think about is compounding your own medications, which can come in very handy when trying to medicated smaller critters. Is this something that interests you?

 

[crb1487]

Yes, yes... Most definitely.