Vet costs

[Noraaaaa]

Hi! I have a sick chicken who just happens to be my favorite chicken ever. I don't know what's wrong with her and we are trying to help her get better, but I need a backup plan. How much is the vet? I'm looking at Bonnie Brave, Animal Care Unlimited and MedVet. The cost would be to see what's wrong so no surgery just a walk-in and see what the problem is. I hope its not something with her reproductive organs because she would need surgery. How much is that usually? They don't list prices on their website, but I'm guessing 50-75 bucks for a walk in? I am in Ohio if anyone has other vets.

Help me here if you have any ideas about whats wrong!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you a teen living with parents, or on your own? Does she lay eggs? How old is she? Your chicken’s upright posture with tail down is common in a hen with a reproductive disorder such as salpingitis or egg yolk peritonitis. If it is sudden, she may be egg bound. If she could be egg bound, you could give her a human calcium tablet into her beak to swallow. Tums broken in two pieces can be substituted until you get calcium. I do not take chickens to vets since most do not know that much about chickens. Plus it would cost a fortune in X-rays and hormone implants if they are suggested. The picture in this article is similar to yours:
https://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/egg-peritonitis/

 

[LaFleche]

I do not take chickens to vets since most do not know that much about chickens. Plus it would cost a fortune in X-rays and hormone implants if they are suggested.

This exactly.

Unless you can find a vet specialising in birds and you are able and willing to pay a fortune (without guaranteed success!) your bird may be doing much better with the advice you can get from experienced members here on BYC.

 

[Noraaaaa]

Are you a teen living with parents, or on your own?

Teen, but I am completely in charge of my birds. My parents just take care of them when I’m gone.

Does she lay eggs?

Not yet

How old is she?

7 months

Your chicken’s upright posture with tail down is common in a hen with a reproductive disorder such as salpingitis or egg yolk peritonitis. If it is sudden, she may be egg bound.

1-2 days ago I noticed it after being gone for 3 days

If she could be egg bound, you could give her a human calcium tablet into her beak to swallow. Tums broken in two pieces can be substituted until you get calcium. I do not take chickens to vets since most do not know that much about chickens. Plus it would cost a fortune in X-rays and hormone implants if they are suggested. The picture in this article is similar to yours:
https://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/egg-peritonitis/

Thank you!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

It is always good to know your circumstances, since some of things we may suggest are costly. That is why I usually try to find a lower price, since many things do not have to be brand names. She is young to have a reproductive problem, but they can occur. First thing is to rule out her having a stuck egg. Some common reproductive disorders are salpingitis (inflammation of the oviduct,) coelomitis/egg yolk peritonitis, ascites or water belly from fluid, and cancer. All are more common in hens over 3, but not so much in pullets.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I took one of my hens to an avian vet in December. It was $90 just for the visit, and I authorized an X-ray (to rule out reproductive issues, cancer etc) and tube fed fluids bringing the bill to $250.
In the end, the Vet couldn’t diagnose her and I ended up just treating her as advised on BYC and keeping her separated in a large crate in the run for 2 weeks so the others didn’t beat up on her. It was not worth the $$.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I should add that an avian vet “May” be able to diagnose your girl’s problem, but a standard vet not used to seeing birds would not (in my opinion).

 

[JPadronMiami]

Hi! I have a sick chicken who just happens to be my favorite chicken ever. I don't know what's wrong with her and we are trying to help her get better, but I need a backup plan. How much is the vet? I'm looking at Bonnie Brave, Animal Care Unlimited and MedVet. The cost would be to see what's wrong so no surgery just a walk-in and see what the problem is. I hope its not something with her reproductive organs because she would need surgery. How much is that usually? They don't list prices on their website, but I'm guessing 50-75 bucks for a walk in? I am in Ohio if anyone has other vets.

Help me here if you have any ideas about whats wrong!!!

View attachment 4047804

Beautiful bird, sorry to hear you are having issues with her, you mentioned she went missing 3 days? did you notice any bruising on her body, feathers missing in patches, limping, could she have had a run in with another aggressive hen or rooster, dog, cat, or other animal while she was out free ranging on the property?

 

[theoldchick]

Call the vet and ask. The receptionist can give you a rough estimate.

 

[Noraaaaa]

It is always good to know your circumstances, since some of things we may suggest are costly. That is why I usually try to find a lower price, since many things do not have to be brand names. She is young to have a reproductive problem, but they can occur. First thing is to rule out her having a stuck egg. Some common reproductive disorders are salpingitis (inflammation of the oviduct,) coelomitis/egg yolk peritonitis, ascites or water belly from fluid, and cancer. All are more common in hens over 3, but not so much in pullets.

Yeah. I just want her to live because she is my favorite bird I hope its not reporductive issues. I don't think its a stuck egg because I did not feel anything. I have never delt with that sort of thing either. Her stomach is normal (I compared her to all of her flocks bellys).