Pretty reasonable price IMO. And thanks for the goo-pics; nothing more shocking yet fascinating than watching an abscess drain.
A chute is one of your best investments - for your safety and that of the cattle. Plus, it saves $$$$ on vet bills and the hassle/drama of catching & taking them in. In the meantime, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Do you have an area where you can secure some panels as a makeshift chute? Use a halter in place of a head gate. Here's an example: We have a portable corral with a portable chute but the chute is currently in another pasture. "Portable" is subjective - it's a PITA to move! There is another chute in the barn. Over the past 5 weeks I've had to doctor 3 calves (foot rot, pinkeye & pneumonia). Caught them in the corral & decided to get creative by shutting them in the center alley, pushing the gate in (instead of latching it) and securing it shut with a rope, creating a smaller triangle area in which to work them. Put a halter on the calf, backed it in a corner and tied the halter to a panel. Worked like a charm!
See what I'm talking about, the center alley?