UFCVM
6 posts
Sep 05, 2009
11:33 AM
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As a student of veterinary medicine , I am curious as to how many of you take your birds to the vet? If not, why? I know I took my own dog to the vet, but everything done with the birds was all me. How many of you would feel comfortable having a vet come to your house to work with your birds or taking advice from one? Would you prefer them to have considerable knowledge of pigeons or be a fancier themselves? Just wandering how being a pigeon veterinarian would play out... Got a few more years to decide. Thanks
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Pumpkin Man
159 posts
Sep 05, 2009
1:59 PM
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I wanted to be a vet when I started college. I couldn't excel in the Algebra and Chemistry area enough to stay with it. Good luck to you. Most of us have to be our own vet because vets are typically large animal or small animal. The small animal ones deal mostly with dogs and cats, and dogs and cats is where the $$$ is, or you're an equine vet. Honestly, learn all you can but I doubt you would get a lot of calls from pigeon fanciers. They eliminate their problems because pigeons are usually not family members like dogs and cats are. Learn all you care too, but go where the $$$ is. Just being honest with you.
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UFCVM
11 posts
Sep 05, 2009
2:15 PM
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Yeah, I totally agree. $$ is a very important issue, especially when estimated debt for me will be about $120,000. I am just interested in disease diagnosis and definitive answers to problems. Like deworming, what is the exact intestinal parasite your bird has or is it protozoal. Because there are resistance issues popping up in horses and some in dogs so... But then too, we can cull our birds more ready then you will a horse or dog/cat. Very interesting.
Last Edited by on Sep 05, 2009 2:17 PM
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donnie james
693 posts
Sep 05, 2009
9:39 PM
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hay ufcvm i would take my birds to veterinary if she or he has the knows about the roller(s)i'll do it with no problems but there no veterinary that i know that know to much about rollers but i could be wrong on this ............donny james
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UFCVM
13 posts
Sep 06, 2009
5:08 AM
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No, I think your right. I doubt that you would find one. But what would you bring your birds there for. What do you feel you lack that a "doc" might be able to help with?
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katyroller
527 posts
Sep 06, 2009
7:15 AM
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I don't think I would ever take birds into a vet. What I would use vet services for is to test dropping samples to confirm disease or infestations. If I had a serious out break of something I couldn't identify, I would consider having a vet come out to diagnose. Treatments are readily available and cheap enough it wouldn't make sense to purchase through a vet. Over the years I have become less comfortable with "preventative" flock treatments.
Tracey
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 7:16 AM
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UFCVM
16 posts
Sep 06, 2009
7:29 AM
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I would agree with the fecal test. And if something is not fixable, usually we are able to dispose of them. As far as preventative measures, if we started trading birds on a grand scale, and having heavy traffic of people coming through our lofts, or lots of contact with feral pigeons other species then I would suggest prevention. But some of the disease transmission is done by vectors like the mosquito. So just depends on the level of exposure, etc.
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Windjammer Loft
922 posts
Sep 06, 2009
8:01 AM
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Iam in Ohio and the Vet I use, for my dogs only, has been my Vet for over 30yrs now. Over the years his business has expanded to even have an Avian Vet. The problem with that is, she doesn't specialize in pigeons. I probably wouldn't use her anyway. Firstly because of the $$ expense $$. Secondly, most of my issues I can take care of myself. And thirdly, I eliminate most problem birds. So, no need to waste any $$ on those birds. So my answer would be "NO" to the use of a Vet for my birds..
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 8:02 AM
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katyroller
529 posts
Sep 06, 2009
8:12 AM
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I don't know of any avian diseases that are limited to pigeons only, so I would think a avian specialist would be able to treat pigeons. I have been in the market for a new family for some time now and I can tell you that there are breeders out there that charge enough for proven stock birds, that you would consider using a vet if they were to become ill.
Tracey
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 8:13 AM
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UFCVM
17 posts
Sep 06, 2009
9:23 AM
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I agree with WindJammer point. Thanks for the post. They are fairly disposable, yet prolific and hardy.
Katyroller - Your post made me think of also before buying, guarantee the health of the bird that your investing in. Although, I doubt many would do that.
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Windjammer Loft
926 posts
Sep 06, 2009
9:48 AM
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Tracey...in my opinion it would feel better to have a Vet, or anyone for that matter, to confide in who has some knowledge and experience with pigeons. It just puts you at ease knowing this. And as far as purchasing expensive pigeons. When I was into racing pigeons I spent many a thousand dollars for "good" birds. And never once did I ever lose one due to health problems. If you provide good management, you don't have any "health" problems. At least that's the way I see it...
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Fly High and Roll On
Paul
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UFCVM
23 posts
Sep 06, 2009
11:18 AM
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As far as pigeon health issues. I have never really had any sick birds. And management is key with any animal, and when it fails that when we get issues.
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katyroller
535 posts
Sep 06, 2009
1:21 PM
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I agree with you guys as far as proper management being the key to healthy birds. Fortunately, in this sport our birds are not being exposed to alot of other birds on a regular basis. My father raced birds for many years and it was fairly rare for him to have birds get sick but he can tell you about whole lofts that were wiped out almost over night. UFCVM, I think that there is room for someone that specializes in pigeons but I wouldn't count on it paying the bills at the end of the month.
Tracey
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UFCVM
27 posts
Sep 06, 2009
2:27 PM
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No, and I would be foolish to think it would. But No doubt I think I will still be active in the pigeon community regardless. Ill do it for extra ice cream money...
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 2:30 PM
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katyroller
541 posts
Sep 06, 2009
2:34 PM
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Don't get me wrong, you could definitely contribute to the hobby in a large way. You would also be in a good position to comment on the medications that are available or upcoming. Read the ads for any medications on the market and they will all tell you that they are the best thing since sliced bread.
I think you could make some extra ice cream money and maybe still have enough leftover for a sack of feed. LOL
Tracey
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 2:35 PM
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UFCVM
28 posts
Sep 06, 2009
2:47 PM
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Sack of feed for every dang species Ill somehow acquire throughout my career. lol
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Kevin
~Portable Flyer: Backyard flyer that flys in someone else's backyard.
Last Edited by on Sep 06, 2009 2:47 PM
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