help!

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by phantom

Speaking of taking pigeons to the vet. My last one cost our rehab organization over $200 for surgery to amputate his wing. He is healthy now and has a good home. From eagles to sea gulls, all lives are important.

Yes, they are all important .. I still have my $800.00 duck . he lives with his adoptive family in San Clemente ...

The reality is that none of us can afford this kind of money for a rescued bird .. we need kind hearted vets .. and a "war chest" for care of our own.

Terry

[phantom]

Terry,
You got me on that one. The duck that I have was only $430, but I got one in the freezer worth $280, and I can't even eat it! I'm a vegetarian. The vets policy is, if she keeps it for rehab she will cover the expense, if I take it back I cover the expense, but he died under anesthesia.

I have to say, that I understand some of the vets have to charge if they are the only ones doing the rehab in the area, as they end up spending so much time with rehab, that they have to make up for the loss of client time. However, some vets take advantage. I have a friend that helps the vet out with reptiles (which the vet supposedly specializes in) then calls in this rehabber and doesn't give the rehabber a dime for doing all the work and providing all the materials. Consequently, we have to do the best we can without access to some of the expensive equipment, like an xray machine that would make diagnosis easier.

So we do it from the heart and remind ourselves when one dies, they would have died in the wild and we did what we could, and go onto the next one.

[Lin Hansen]

Just adding my two cents worth concerning veterinarians...I know it is a business, and they are in business to make money. I also know they spent many years and possibly a small fortune becoming veterinarians, plus it is costly to run and maintain a practice.
Having said that, I think some them (in plain terms) can be bandits.
I thought my vet in town was very kind when I brought an injured pigeon in about a year ago. They weren't really interested in treating it, but examined it and gave it a couple of shots (Baytril and something else). They thought it was kind of me to try to help a feral and waived the ofc visit fee and charged just $80.00 for the shots. I still think that was a nice thing to do.
HOWEVER, I adopted an abused cat last June who requires prescription cat food. Luckily I have not had to pay too much for the food, as my sister-in-law attends vet school up in Mass. and is able to get the food for at cost ($15.00 for a 24 can case.)
Last month when I ran out, I had to order it through this vet. You know what they charged me? Hold onto your hats......$43.00 for the $15.00 case of cat food! Now, I understand they want to make money on this and I could even understand doubling the price to make a profit, but almost triple???
Okay, compared to the stories you guys are telling I know I have gotten off relatively cheap (so far), but just couldn't resist venting along with you.
I echo everyone's sentiments that life comes above the cost involved and every life is important.
Linda

[Reti]

Lin, I guess those guys robbed you.
Hope you won't need to buy from them any more.

Reti