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As I said...I am only working part-time and have not got the money.Vets in this state are not willing to take payments.My 10 year old cat cost me 700.00 for ear surgery last year and I had to pay it up front( I could not have fixed it myself so he went to the vet).Without getting into my personal situation, I will tell you that we have over 150 birds here. I cannot just run to the vet with one every time they have a problem.Farmers for centuries have been taking care of problems without a vet,and those they couldn't fix they culled. So far we have been successful on all surgeries we have done with no loss of life. If need be, I WILL find a vet for Chloey because I love her, but if we can fix it at home it's more economical. DH is another battle for the vets, because he feels the birds are livestock and sometimes some just don't make it. Not that he would object too much if I pushed the issue, but he would be agreeable only because of me...not the goose.He has more of a true "farmer's" attitude than I do.If farmer's took every bird to the vet every time they had a problem....there would be no more farmers.They'd all be broke!
Everyone's situation is different and I do not judge those who do take their birds to the vets for every issue,if I were rich, I would still try home remedies first.JMO but thanks for your help.
Most of our birds are livestock also and we also have to deal with most of own vetting. I did manage however to find a vet who specializes in waterfowl who lives in our area and he trades his services for fresh veggies, fresh chicken (he actually came and helped us process one day) duck eggs, chicken eggs, and beef. He also shows us how to do many things ourselves. It has been a great relationship.
That's awesome....I need to find someone like that! It's nice to hear from someone who does most of their own vetting too. I think we are a dying breed though. Nowadays people run to the Doc's for everything for themselves and their animals! When my kids sprain an ankle...I treat it myself.We don't go to the Doctors for every cold, bump, bruise and scratch. People even take their pets for haircuts, manicures and the like....crazy to me but whatever they like, I guess. I do appreciate the vet when I can't fix it myself but I am also not going to get every shot recommended for the cats and dog because some are unnecessary IMO. I have living proof of that since I have 2 cats that are 9 and 11 who are indoor/outdoor cats and they are healthy and have not had ALL the recommended shots. They get your basics, rabies, distemper. I had them tested once for feline leukemia... not doing it again. Seems silly to me to keep doing that, at their age if they get it...they get it.I personally do not go to the Doc's as often as I probably should...so why would I do that for the animals? We keep them fed/clean/watered/ and pay a TON of attention to them. I noticed bumble foot on one chicken out of 110, so i think that speaks for itself.
Anyway, it's nice to hear from someone who understands my way of thinking, so thanks for posting