TAKE TO VET or TAKE OUT PET INSURANCE!

[kellysmall87]

Hi, I am increasingly worried about the amount of posts that I am seeing and commenting on whereby the owner refuses to take the chicken to the vet as the costs are too high.

If you can't afford to look after chickens properly - i.e take them to a vet when ill... - then don't have chickens.

I understand in America you don't have organisations like PDSA where a family on low income can get a pet treated for free, but still, you lot have pet insurance don't you?

Not being rude or horrible. But please, if you have animals then you have to realise they'll need medical attention sometimes! Common sense people!

 

[mixitup]

I believe, a lot of the issues are not that people don't want to take the animal to a vet, but, especially with poultry (and in Canada especially) it's really, really, REALLY hard to find a vet that will even talk about poultry-never mind look at one. Even the farm vets don't seem to want to treat poultry.

 

[DanIndiana]

I'd be really surprised if one can purchase chicken insurance, but who knows. The economics just don't make it very realistic in my opinion. Say, a $75 vet bill for a $5 chicken, that would also be delicious. Maybe if it were an issue related to a large flock.

 

[dawg53]

Most vets here dont know squat about chickens and still charge an arm and a leg. Pet insurance for a chicken...dogs and cats maybe if anyone can afford it. Most vets including avian vets wont look at a chicken, they are considered expendable and easily replaceable.
Your statement, "If you cant afford to look after chickens properly- ie take them to a vet when ill...- then dont have chickens." I would say judging from almost all the posts here, that 99% of the posts in this section ....people are taking care of their chickens properly simply by asking a question how to treat their sick bird(s)...otherwise they wouldnt post and not give a crap.
You obviously dont know the history of chickens...they have survived without vets for a very long time.
Edited to add: I trust the knowledgable folks here in BYC, rather than any vet on any given day...and that's a fact.

 

[mixitup]

I believe in the UK, the vets are much more accessible. Just something that I came across with dogs, so I would imagine it would extend to other animal forms as well. People are always surprised when I tell them if I want a specialist for my dog, I would have to travel to a major city. Here that would be Toronto or Guelph, both over 2 hours away. Many local vets are just not experienced enough in animal husbandry to get a right answer.

 

[kellysmall87]

You all have a lot of valid points. And yes, Humble, I know about chickens. But when little things are wrong - like mite infestation, sore feet, no energy then yes - posts do work. When I read about chickens legs being fused together, harsh infections, prolapses - then what else can one do other than take them to a vet or kill them?

Bottom line is yes you all care about chickens as otherwise you wouldn't be here. But seriously, when a chicken has a serious health problem then they need professional help. If you can't get pet insurance for chickens then I suggest you put a couple of dollars or pounds or euros away a month in order to cater for any eventuality.

 

[Habibs Hens]

Hi, I am increasingly worried about the amount of posts that I am seeing and commenting on whereby the owner refuses to take the chicken to the vet as the costs are too high.

If you can't afford to look after chickens properly - i.e take them to a vet when ill... - then don't have chickens.

I understand in America you don't have organisations like PDSA where a family on low income can get a pet treated for free, but still, you lot have pet insurance don't you?

Not being rude or horrible. But please, if you have animals then you have to realise they'll need medical attention sometimes! Common sense people!

Hey Kelly Call Domestic & General Pet Protect they have a PET Health Insurance scheme that is pretty much comparible for its price


http://corporate.domgen.com/media-centre/press-releases/fivestarrating.html

 

[kellysmall87]

I grant you one thing, I don't know about Canada or America and the vet situations out there. Thanks for enlightening me. Over here, it's easy to get things treated, I spent £50 on my hamster the other month. I care about chickens and just don't want to see neglect because people can't be bothered to treat them and would rather chuck them in the freezer.

 

[featherz]

I have pet insurance for my cats, but as far as I know there's no pet insurance here for chickens. And I have 50+ chickens so that's not gonna happen. Not a single vet within 50 miles of here sees chickens. Maybe it's better where you are?

My vet is awesome and I am sure he'd do a fecal float or a lab test if I needed one, but if I told him I had a bumblefoot he'd run away fast He's a dog and cat kinda guy.

 

[kellysmall87]

It must be a dire situation over there.. no wonder so many of you chicken owners need help on forums like this. Yes it's a lot better over here! Vets vaccinate our chickens and treat them. I assumed it was the same over the pond. Obviously not. My ignorance is cured.