What is it with Vets and Birds???

[Duck_feeder]

Quote:
That doesn't surprise me too much and I can't blame them for it. I'm sure they've had countless cases in the past before they made that policy where someone would bring in their duck only to discover that the bill for the visit was literally 50 times more than they paid for the duck and refuse to pay.

 

[goosedragon]

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Often ducks that are sick carry diseases that could wipe out thousands of chickens if the disease got let loose in the factory farms of NC. Guess who is giving money to NC State to do poultry research? Factory chicken and Turkey farms are big business in NC. The college isn't going to put them at risk in order to care for a few ducks. About the most you are going to get (unless you have some pull with NC State) is phone consulting where a vet will tell you what to look for and if you are very lucky and the vet is interested he may tell you how to take samples and send them to him safely. Usually they will take a dead duck if properly packed and shipped. Those they can open in biocontainment hoods where they can be sure any pathogens can be contained and destroyed. They use some of this care on large farm animals too, If the animal shows signs of the "wrong" disease it is never let off the trailer. Where there is no known cure, biosecurity is the only possible way to prevent the disease from spreading...

 

[Cerelia]

DF wrote:

I'm sure they've had countless cases in the past before they made that policy where someone would bring in their duck only to discover that the bill for the visit was literally 50 times more than they paid for the duck and refuse to pay.

Well, I suppose you are right there.

I think I will have to go visit your indoor duck site, too. When they spray the cotton field behind us in late summer, Daffodil will have to come inside for a few days. Don't think she will fancy wearing diapers too well, though. It's been traumatic enough being moved from her pond across the road to our porch (and probably we'll transition her to her own part of the yard. Hopefully by then she will have accepted us as part of her flock.​

 

[NYREDS]

I'm sure they've had countless cases in the past before they made that policy where someone would bring in their duck only to discover that the bill for the visit was literally 50 times more than they paid for the duck

There's the rub. Since the cost of veterinary care is more than the value of the bird why do it? Instead of taking a $5 duck to a $25 vet visit why not just buy another duck?​

 

[Trenary Ducks]

Quote:
Now you are thinking too much like a farmer.

 

[Cerelia]

Instead of taking a $5 duck to a $25 vet visit why not just buy another duck?

LOL, Reds, not even going to tell you what I spent on Daffodil last week at the vet. You will think I am nuts. Had to do it, though...had to give her a chance.​

 

[GrannySue]

My experience with a vet treating a duck is quite limited. On of my runners was attacked by a hawk (I think) and had a few fairly deep puncture wounds on her head and neck. I caught her, rinsed out the wounds with running water and took a couple of photos. Put her in a crate in the bathroom, then headed to the vet's with just the photos.
The (very nice and sympathetic) receptionist took the photos back to him, saying he would come out between appointments.
About 1/2 hr later out came Dave, picture in hand. First question, "This is a goose, right?"
All I really wanted was some antibiotics and he assured me that Baytril was safe and broad-spectrum enough to treat her. And that I could "probably" use Neosporin on the punctures because she wouldn't be able to reach them.
I left with a self sealing test tube of Baytril, a removable hypodermic needle for dosage and wishes for good luck. He only charged me for the meds, not a regular visit.
Oh, and BlueBell now has a file at the vet's!

 

[MagsC]

The vets around here seem to know absolutely squat about birds.

This website is way more informative.Sigh.
A good avian vet is worth his/her weight in gold.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Quote:
There's the rub. Since the cost of veterinary care is more than the value of the bird why do it? Instead of taking a $5 duck to a $25 vet visit why not just buy another duck?

I am quite with you on this one. I have seldom done other than wound treatement with my birds. As you said, it's a five dollar bird.

UNTIL I had children. When it's one of my daughter's favorites the equation changes. I still won't spend big money on them, but I do have to make a good faith effort so they can see that daddy really did try.

.....Alan.

 

[nettie]

We've spent at least $1500 on vet bills between the six ducks and two budgies... we just got another budgie and a cockatiel this week who will e visiting the vet as well. Ugh... Last year I spent around $800 for surgeries... If you do find a good avian vet, it's expensive! But I love my babies and will do anything for them. I would take a child to the doctor, and the animals are like children to us. Luckily we have an excellent vet near the city (about 45mins away) we can take our ducks to.