[beth123]

Hi all

About a fortnight ago I had a very poorly hen, when I rung my vets I was advised to 'ring' the others necks as they were showing symptoms, they did not see chickens as they had no one with expertise to deal with them.  Fair enough you think, at least they've been honest with you.

I've rung them again to day to see if they would give me anti-biotics for my warren who appears to have a cold.  The lady I spoke too told me I would have to bring the chicken in, when I mentioned what I had previously been told she went quiet.  Then, in the background I could hear a man say 'tell her to bring it in, class it as a rodent, when I've looked at it she can have a written prescription for whatever'

Hearing this really upset me and I told the woman on the other end not to bother.  Have I overreacted? It gave me the impression that they were only seeing my warren to bump up the bill, I'm so disappointed in them.   

[Aidy]

Its very tricky, but I would always put the health of my chook first, are there no chook friendly vets within driving distance?

[joyfull]

vets should ask to see at least one of the birds before issuing a prescription same as a doctor would need to see a patient. However if they don't usually treat poultry they should not treat them as rodents but probably they should treat them as parrots or similar. Perhaps you may need to find a vet that treats either exotic pets (for some reason chickens are classed as exotic  ) or livestock. Inform your current vets that backyard chicken keeping is the fastest growing hobby in this country and because of their attitude they will be losing a lot of money and customers. When I started with my vets there was one who had done an exotic course and now there are 3, they have listened  .

[Aunt Sally]

Perhaps over reacting a little Beth.

A vet is legally not permitted to prescribe for an animal that they've not seen.  They will prescribe for a flock if they have just seen a sample bird.  Some vets prescribe for unseen birds belonging to people that they have delt with for some while as they know they can trust their judgment.

It sounds to me as if the vet wants to help you by giving whatever you consider the right medication as you probably know more about it than he does.

By "a cold" you probably mean Mycoplasma so tell him:

Tilmicosin, tylosin, spiramycin, tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones (I would have to write that down ) and make sure he prescribes enough for all your birds as they will all need treating at the same time.

(Cross posted with Joyfull )

[8doubles]

The "class it as a rodent" may be to do with the consultation charge rather than the actual medication used. The charge may be less for a £15 hen or rodent than it would be for a £2000 parrot to encourage pet owners to look after them.

[joyfull]

wow remind me never to get a parrot 

common names for some antibiotics used are aureomycin, tylan, denegard and baytril amongst hundreds of others. I have used the first three mentioned on this list - which are licenced for poultry.

[Fisherman]

I sometimes wonder why we can't buy antibiotics for hens without seeing a vet. When reading all the posts about hen ailments the first advice generally is to see a vet to get antibiotics tylan, denegard, baytril etc. It would be good to try antibiotics from out of the cupboard so to speak without all the hassle of going to see a vet. Yes there will be times when a vet is needed but for the likes of Mycoplasma, sniffles, cuts, runny eyes etc. I don't think it's always necessary.

I understand vets will have codes of practice to follow after all business is business!

Just having a moan

Anyway as always prevention is better than cure and everyone should ensure their birds are well looked after, well fed and kept free from both internal and external parasites. There is more than enough advice on this site to ensure good husbandry practices are understood and in place.

[NormandyMary]

Well, Ive just had great service from my vet. I made an appointment with the same vet that saw Monty last time, as she spoke english, which made it a bit easier for me. Later on in the afternoon, I had a phone call from them, speaking very slowly so that I could understand, to say that my vet was unavailable, but that they had managed to free up another vet who also spoke english, so that I could keep my appointment. I thought that it was very kind of them to ring and explain. Very unusual for the french to be honest!!

[Aunt Sally]

It would be good to try antibiotics from out of the cupboard so to speak without all the hassle of going to see a vet.

That is one of the main reasons that bacteria become resistent to antibiotics.

[Chookiechook]

Poor you .... its upsetting to have your pet spoken about like that..... but I agree with others when they say that the vet was meaning to charge as a rodent.... ie cheaper than a cat or dog

Vets are no allowed to prescribe without seeing the creature concerned as for all they know the animal may not exist and you could be using the drugs for yourself or others   Think how Ketamine could be abused!!

Mind you... after getting a mouth full of the dust from the Tylan that I got the other day I would come to the conclusion that no one would take that however big the buzz (not sayin it has one) ..

But back to the point in question..... Yes they dont often know much about poultry, but they have access to the information and drugs that we just dont.... so are a necessary evil

[Flowerpower136]

I'd have had the same gut reaction as you Beth, but reading the following posts, they do make sense? (as ever!)

Vets can't prescribe anything without seeing the creature within a 6 month period.  I know this because I have to drag a protesting dog to the vets every 6 months to set up a repeat prescripton for her arthritis meds, which she's been on for years.  It seems pointless to me as it's so stressful for her, but it is apparently 'the law'.

What appears to be a heartless contemp re your girl, is just a vet trying to work out the 'admin'.

I'd give them another ring, and say you've second thoughts.  It's just a means to an end.

[evie2]

On our last visit to our vets with the cat, I asked him (him being a senior partner, sorry Veterinary Director) if he would see our chooks if needs be, eyes to the ceiling he said they only really did large flocks and a few more comments that made it clear the answer was no but at least we knew.

Next patient in when we came out; a duck obviously ducks are different

They reacted the same way when I asked if they would see my snake

[Aunt Sally]

Sounds as if they don't want your money 

[Catsmuvva]

Hi Beth
It's certainly worth asking around other practices to see if any have experience with poultry, you're not duty bound to use the same vet for all your animals. The practice I take my cats to doesn't know much about chickens so I now take the girls to a different one but the cats are still with the old one. Also, I've noticed the cost is less for poultry so if they're unused to treating backyard chickens I'm guessing the rodent comment was to decide a payment scale, as suggested.