Thoughts on necessity of duck vets.

[donkeydew2farms]

I think these are all good points, I my self worked for a vet in the past so I have some know

ledge about injuries . I also have a vet clinic that will work with me, I have tortoises and they have help me with treatment . they will call or look it up they have been good to me they are pricey but to me it is worth it so I know if I have a problem with a duck or goose they will help. when they see me coming I am sure they say here comes the crazy lady. This is big boy.

 

[duckitup]

First of all I'd like to say I'm jealous! I've always joked that one of my siblings or I should become a vet or marry a vet so we had one in the family!

For me personally I'd say yes, having a duck vet is important. I wish more vets were trained in avian care. Though just like dog and cat vets not all vets are the same. I've dealt with vets on both ends that were very good and decent but not so great.

My ducks are my pets and I would do anything I can for them to keep them happy and comfy. When I first got ducks a year a go I did a lot of research on them. Most of it said how hardy and self reliant ducks are. In my experience that was wrong information. They are self sufficient but do require monitoring and extra care when needed.

In an emergency it is very nice to have a vet that you can call or take your duck to. My 10 ducks have a natural spring fed pond and many acres to roam, free range, are not crowded, I keep their houses clean and feel I do everything I can for them. However, in the last year I have dealt with eye infections, bumblefoot, pneumonia, coccidiosis, worms etc. Maybe I am just a fluke. My vet says that some of the worst health cases he has seen as far as chickens and ducks go are from the cleanest most well taken care of places he has been in. I think that may have to do more with the fact that people who are keeping a close eye on their animals will see signs of illness faster and have it treated sooner and more often than those who just "leave it up to the ducks" so to speak. I guess what I'm saying is that duck diseases don't only happen in close confinement and dirty atmospheres, they can happen anywhere, and when it happens a knowledgeable vet is indispensable.

 

[jools2014]

First of all I'd like to say I'm jealous! I've always joked that one of my siblings or I should become a vet or marry a vet so we had one in the family!

For me personally I'd say yes, having a duck vet is important. I wish more vets were trained in avian care. Though just like dog and cat vets not all vets are the same. I've dealt with vets on both ends that were very good and decent but not so great.

My ducks are my pets and I would do anything I can for them to keep them happy and comfy. When I first got ducks a year a go I did a lot of research on them. Most of it said how hardy and self reliant ducks are. In my experience that was wrong information. They are self sufficient but do require monitoring and extra care when needed.

In an emergency it is very nice to have a vet that you can call or take your duck to. My 10 ducks have a natural spring fed pond and many acres to roam, free range, are not crowded, I keep their houses clean and feel I do everything I can for them. However, in the last year I have dealt with eye infections, bumblefoot, pneumonia, coccidiosis, worms etc. Maybe I am just a fluke. My vet says that some of the worst health cases he has seen as far as chickens and ducks go are from the cleanest most well taken care of places he has been in. I think that may have to do more with the fact that people who are keeping a close eye on their animals will see signs of illness faster and have it treated sooner and more often than those who just "leave it up to the ducks" so to speak. I guess what I'm saying is that duck diseases don't only happen in close confinement and dirty atmospheres, they can happen anywhere, and when it happens a knowledgeable vet is indispensable.

That has made me feel a bit better. I always feel terrible like it is my fault when a pet gets sick. I have not had too much trouble with my ducks (one seemed a bit off but is ok now), i have had trouble with chickens though-mainly egg yolk peritonitis-and when I took one to the vet last time he noticed leg mites as well which I had missed-it made me feel like I'd been keeping them in bad conditions and letting them get infested. Not a good feeling. Made me not want to have any birds again (or any pets!) i did decide not to get any more chickens and just focus on ducks, they do seem more hardy than chickens at least in my experience.