The $280 chicken that laid the egg I cannot eat

I noticed that Twinkie constantly had a dirty vent. When Ducky died she had a soiled vent, a tiny scabby looking blister on each foot and a few days prior she had been opening her mouth wide leading me to think she may have had gapeworm. I didn't have the chance to treat her because our house was undergoing a small remodeling project and our schedule was off. We had several days of triple digits and my only concern was keeping all the girls cool and hydrated.
The other day I noticed that Twinkie was starting to get small, blister like lesions on her foot and along with the soiled vent and opening her mouth like Ducky had. I rushed her to a small animal clinic that treated birds and claimed to have experience treating chickens. It was Twinkie's first car ride.

She was tested for parasites and came out negative. But was given Panacur anyway because a soiled vent could mean parasites and the tests are not always thorough. Her little lesions which I suspected to be bumble foot were just that and a foot soak and ointment was prescribed. The entire visit with tests was a solid $280. I could never share this story with my grandparents. Not only are they frugal but despite loving their birds, they would never spend over $15 on them. On the ride back home with Twinkie I wondered if I had done the best thing or the smart thing because I hadn't done the most cost effective thing.

There are plenty of resources online regarding chicken health and treatment for bumble foot, soiled vents and homeopathic de-wormers. My decision to rush Twinkie to the vet was one born of pure panic for this little chicken I have come to love. I didn't want another Ducky experience, not now. We just lost a cat of thirteen years. Even though I was astounded at how much Twinkie's vet care cost I was equally relieved that I had a professional opinion and a bag of medications to make my little chicken better.

Trying to get Twinkie to enjoy a foot bath was not easy but she learned to appreciate it, often dozing off in the warm water as I rocked her back and forth in the boxy, plastic container. She also came to expect the application of the ointment then the syringe of Panacur down her throat. By the third day Twinkie put up no struggle. She understood. However after a week of the footbath and ointment and no real results I phoned the vet and complained. Twinkie had diarrhea and was unhappy being isolated, her little sores were still showing no signs of healing and ugh! I don't want to lose Twinkie, I love her too much. The vet had nothing to really offer so I canceled the appointment scheduled for today and decided to go online for treatment.

Her diarrhea has cleared thanks to vinegar water and some mashed banana with cooked rice and a hard-boiled egg. Her bumble foot is showing improvement now that I am applying an ointment made from one part boric acid and five parts petroleum jelly and wrapping them. She is now back with her flock and has laid two eggs. I can't eat them because of the de-wormer but I did boil them and fed them back to her. I don't plan to have any eggs for another two weeks unless I can tell Twinkie's apart from the other two.

Fuzztop and PeeWee have no bumble foot or any signs of ever getting it because they are thinner than Twinkie. Both these healthy girls have never had a soiled vent in their entire lives either. Still I am purchasing a natural de-wormer that has received much praise in the UK and have put down cardboard in those places of the coop that Twinkie likes to frequent.

Tonight Fuzzy and PeeWee were snuggled together, as they have been their whole lives, the snowy little twins and Twinkie was content and alone in her nest, the word is independent. So, if you feel like rushing your chicken to the vet, go ahead and do it. Remember though there is so much information online. However, you love that bird so no one can blame you for trying to get him/her the best care possible. They just melt my heart. I know that even if they live their full life expectancy of nine years that it would never be enough. These little birds are such tender little souls. They have a language and real emotions and personalities, each an individual.

So was the $280 worth it? Well I did appreciate the tests  for giving me peace of mind. I could have saved by not purchasing the meds at the vet clinic. The 2 ounces of Nolvasan was $35 at the clinic and  shocking $21 for 16 ounces in just about every hatchery and livestock catalog I have. Then again, anything for Twinkie....

Poor bandaged birdie.