Sick turkey

johnnysousa · Jan 29, 2016

Hello,
I bought a turkey that is about 1 year old, a week after buying it he started to have trouble walking and his legs would shake almost all the time, the problem got worse and a few days later he would even lose his balance and fall when trying to walk, I talked to the vet and he told me to give the turkey antibiotics, 5 days of antibiotic shots. The day I went to give the first shot the turkey would fall as soon as he lifted one foot from the ground and was gasping for air.
Now that I gave him all the antibiotic he got better but still looks a bit like he's semi inebriated.
I live in a small island and the vet area of expertise is large cattle and dogs/cats, he has no idea what's the turkey problem (the antibiotics he gave me where the only he had that could also be used on birds), and I fear the turkey will get sicker again now that I've stopped the medication.
Has anyone had a similar problem? What should I do?

copper2 · Jan 29, 2016

Is it a broad breasted white? Smell it's mouth, are there any other symptoms? Is he drinking and eating?

johnnysousa · Jan 30, 2016

Not sure, looks like some cross breed to me, but I'll post pictures later today. Not any symptoms that I can tell. He is eating and drinking just enough to keep himself alive. What showld I be looking for when I smell his mouth?

johnnysousa · Jan 30, 2016

Here is Governor and his lady

R2elk · Jan 30, 2016

johnnysousa said:
Hello,
I bought a turkey that is about 1 year old, a week after buying it he started to have trouble walking and his legs would shake almost all the time, the problem got worse and a few days later he would even lose his balance and fall when trying to walk, I talked to the vet and he told me to give the turkey antibiotics, 5 days of antibiotic shots. The day I went to give the first shot the turkey would fall as soon as he lifted one foot from the ground and was gasping for air.
Now that I gave him all the antibiotic he got better but still looks a bit like he's semi inebriated.
I live in a small island and the vet area of expertise is large cattle and dogs/cats, he has no idea what's the turkey problem (the antibiotics he gave me where the only he had that could also be used on birds), and I fear the turkey will get sicker again now that I've stopped the medication.
Has anyone had a similar problem? What should I do?

There is just not enough information to determine what is wrong. As suggested in another thread, the best idea is to post about him in the Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries and Cures forum.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Things that may be helpful in determining a course of action are:
1. What are you feeding the turkeys?
2. Is it possible that he managed to eat something that is poisonous to turkeys.
3. Where you are located since some diseases are region specific.

My course of action without knowing more would be to make sure that he is drinking plenty of fresh water. If available give a high protein feed, if not feed crumbled hard boiled eggs. I would check to see if there is anything toxic around that he could have gotten into.

You may also want to contact @casportpony since she is the closest to being a disease expert that I know on these forums.

Also

Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Hope your turkey makes it.

ivan3 · Jan 30, 2016

johnnysousa said:
Not sure, looks like some cross breed to me, but I'll post pictures later today. Not any symptoms that I can tell. He is eating and drinking just enough to keep himself alive. What showld I be looking for when I smell his mouth?

Some diseases/conditions can produce a foul odor on breath. Do you know how well these turkeys were cared for/fed before you acquired them? What percentage protein feed are they getting, now? I'd probably try crushed hard boiled eggs to augment feed intake and poultry vitamin supplement as well. Keep the turk on clean, dry bedding and keep water/feed in easy reach.

First thing that comes to mind would be food/water borne toxin (only symptom is ataxia), then poor quality feed/forage over time/lack of vitamins. Hard to know what if any bacteria were knocked down (unless there were other symptoms?). Do you house them overnight? Could he have struck head flying up to roost?

Keep hydrated & try to up feed intake (augment with higher protein/caloric (per ounce) food items and observe and post up any other symptoms/changes in droppings, etc.

johnnysousa · Jan 31, 2016

I live in the Azores islands, Portugak.
They'r eating a general poultry feed from a local company, corn, greens and house leftovers. Nothing toxic near the enclosure. The previous owner may ght have not taken really good care of them as they were a bit slim when I got then. Here are some more pictures

[/IMG]
Is this normal?

duluthralphie · Jan 31, 2016

I think R2elk gave you good places to look.

I would try more antibiotics or sulfa drugs, Increase his protein intake (higher level than the chickens get). Maybe give him hard boiled eggs, probiotic, Check for lice and parasites.

It is just a guess from me, I would do everything I could think of if I wanted to save him. I would even try Apple cider vinegar and a mild dewomer.

johnnysousa · Jan 31, 2016

The veterinary gave him a dewormer shot and I even went has far as feading him trough a syringe. I'm also mixing cheese whey in his pellets. The vet told to stop the antibiotics for know and see if he comes along

memphis · Jan 31, 2016

Keep us posted! Hope he starts feeling better.

Sick turkey

More options

johnnysousa

In the Brooder

copper2

Songster

johnnysousa

In the Brooder

johnnysousa

In the Brooder

R2elk

*

ivan3

spurredon

johnnysousa

In the Brooder

duluthralphie

Dux eradication specialist

johnnysousa

In the Brooder

memphis

RIP 1958-2020

Similar threads

New posts New threads Active threads

Latest posts

Latest threads

Threads with more replies in the last 15 days