***FYI-The Original Business Was Sold. Under New Management*** Originally, I was referred to this vet by a local feed store so I felt comfortable expecting that they had experience with chickens. One ... Read More
***FYI-The Original Business Was Sold. Under New Management*** Originally, I was referred to this vet by a local feed store so I felt comfortable expecting that they had experience with chickens. One of my hens, who stopped flying into the trees to perch at night, was inflamed and very heavy. She was eating fine, didn't seem sick, her comb and wattles were still red but just couldn't keep up due to her ballooned size. After doing some research online and speaking with fellow chicken keepers, all signs pointed to a condition called "Water Belly" aka Ascites. As soon as Dr. Cepero and her husband saw us I informed them of what I thought it could be and asked if they could drain the fluid (which is what is necessary with this condition). To my surprise, the both of them seemed to instantly dismiss "things you find online" and "old timer techniques" and said it didn't feel like fluid build up. So they proceeded to do a fecal test for parasites because they felt as though it were parasites in her intestines causing inflammation. This didn't sound right to me at the time and nothing I had come across in my research presented any evidence that would lead to parasites being the cause. Like I noted above, she had a healthy appetite, would run, and her comb and wattles didn't show signs of acute illness. They came back into the exam room with a microscope and showed me parasites that they found in her test. Shocked, I was glad that I had some form of a diagnosis and was eager to heal her. She was prescribed a dewormer and I was told that they would contact me later in the week to inform me of pricing options for medication to deworm the rest of my flock. I did not hear back from them and my hen was getting bigger! So i decided to call back the following week. I was told that she was "heavily infested" and that it will take a while to see results or I could bring her in for an X-ray. As a simple country woman, spending money on an x ray for a chicken was not feasible besides, the $58.00 visit + the loss of eggs (which you can't consume for 14 days after treatment) already cost too much. So I waited, and waited. About three weeks in she had reached a wall and was no longer able to walk and was struggling to breath. Finally I had a farmer friend come over and within a few seconds of picking her up he immediately determined it was indeed water belly (Ascites). He then drained more than 30oz of fluid from her. If it wasn't for him, she would have died that day more than likely. When I called the Vet back to express my disappointment with the wrong diagnosis, I was met with indignation, apathy and a person with a pension for interrupting clients while they try to communicate their concerns (Dr. Cepero's Husband). Terrible customer service plus lack of knowledge in your field means I won't be back. My chicken is doing so much better thanks to God, wise farmers, and the internet! Read Less