Should I quarantine/cull??

[jmc]

Some of you have seen this pic already.

Note the bubbly eye and the discharge. Been happening for maybe 5 weeks. she remains with my seven other birds in the flock. None showing similar signs. she is 17 wk old RIR.

very active and seemingly healthy otherwise.

Should I quarantine (maybe should have already)?

I am NOT going to purchase a tube of Terramycin eye ointment that costs MORE than my whole flock did!

Should I just cull her then? I don't think it is going to get better; she scratches it at times, also.

I started giving her vits. electros. and probios. (Blue Ribbon Pak, as sugg'd. by KJ Theodore) 1 tsp. per gal.

also running a few drops of Vet Rx in the h20.

Beyond that, I don't think I'm going to do anything. I love this little one (Dottie) and all her companions; but they are for eggs and not truly pets.

I am a novice and need advice. You are such good folks, I wish I could give you all some good advice; but I don't have any to give--even though I've read.

 

[nnbreeder]

Any medication that you could buy that will work probably costs more then your flock did. If the bird is still with the flock then many more will be infected too. Why ask for help at all?

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i have never seen such a thing before. My instincts would be to let her be if she acts healthy otherwise. But there are folks with far more expertise than i on this board. Hopefully my post will bump this one up and get some attention.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Quote:
Hmmmm, i thought this was a forum where folks help each other.

 

[nnbreeder]

Yes it is, LS-50 for CRD is about 30 dollars to treat 25 gals of water. Even Tylan-50 is around 10-12 dollars as is LA-200. The only meds that are not pricey is the Terramycin powder and it won't do anything for CRD. Unless the OP wants to spend the money chances are the flock will be culled one by one as this spreads. Most respritory illnesses start with the same symptoms such as the bubbly eyes and swollen face and are mostly spread through common water sources. Maybe not all birds will get this disease but they have been exposed so only time will tell.

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

I think it's was Chickenmonk's comment that he refuses to buy a tube of the medication the bird might need because it "costs more than his whole flock".

If you take responsibility for owning an animal, then you take the responsibility for properly caring for it and providing what it needs. If the medication is unaffordable, put the poor thing out of it's misery or give it to someone who can properly care for it.

If you get a dog for free and it gets hit by a car, you wouldn't say you're not going to do anything about it because the vet bill would cost more than the dog did, would you?

I have to support nnbreeder's comment. Chickenmonk claims to love this bird Dottie, yet then he says she's truly not a pet, she's "just for eggs", and he let's her go on for weeks with a condition that's clearly not normal. It's just not right.

 

[jjthink]

You are to be commended for the supplements you are providing that will strengthen her and all her buddies - I'm sure it'll help. And I couldn't help but notice the incredibly clear and good photo you posted - such close up clarity - great job with that. I think I see the reflection of the photographer in her eye?

Only because you're asking what to do I will answer that I would give her the treatment she needs, but that's me. I know everyone has their own perspective so will state mine without any comment on that of another. I've never equated initial cost of any being I've cared for with their actual intrinsic value. If I did, they'd all be dead by now from lack of needed treatments! (tho I sure wish vet bills were less in the stratosphere than they are - it was a $500 week last week treating Ellie, a hen I've known only for 5 weeks, for a mysterious illness as yet undiagnosed. So troubling because I know so many beings out there aren't getting the care they need because vet care is so expensive anymore

). It's very difficult financially, but if it is within my power to help a being in my care thrive... I do everything possible - whether a pet or a total stranger. It's come down to working extra jobs to live this philosophy, but it's what sits best with me. As to quaranteening, she's already been with her buddies awhile so I'm not sure that would make any diff now. Cull - I wouldn't - because she is otherwise seeming healthy and happy (unless she has something that will kill everybody treated or not). I'm kind of hoping no one will cull me for my pesky little problems!

THANK YOU for checking in here and looking for ideas and advice. Maybe someone from BYC who lives near you can share meds with you to keep expenses down. I usually do that with the products I buy so others can save some money. I hope your hen and her buddies will thrive for a long time to come. Be well. JJ

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

Maybe someone from BYC who lives near you can share meds with you to keep expenses down.

This is a wonderful idea. Loved your post, jjthink. Well said.​

 

[jenni2142]

I recently had to use the Terramycin eye ointment and while it is pricey most of the tube is left after treatment was complete and it did work. I have noticed that there are other antibiotic eye ointments online for less than 1/2 the cost. Maybe one of those would do.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Sorry nnbreeder for not understanding the meaning of your comment. As for sharing meds, i think it's a great idea. i keep all meds prescribed for any of my pets. i've used my cat's eye ointment on myself when it got irritated and it worked great. Then i share cat meds with a friend to save on vet costs. i used to give all my old medications to my family doctor who donated them to hospitals in Mexico.

Anyhow, Chickenmonk, i hope you find a reasonable treatment for your girl. She sure is pretty.