Can my poult digest plastic???

[BrandySC]

I have a three-week-old tom poult who swallowed a small piece of plastic. (A syringe cap: no sharp edges, about half an inch long.) I contacted our vet and he believed it would "handle itself." I have him isolated for monitoring. His appetite is excellent, acts like he feels fine, drinks regularly, no changes in bowel movements. I'm checking all of his droppings but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I did not ask the vet if he thought Jefferson would pass the cap whole or if it would break down. It was a translucent blue, if it broke down I'm not even sure I could see it. He ate it almost 72 hours ago. I'm just wondering at what point I can stop worrying. Thank you for any feedback.
--Stressed out turkey mama

 

[Molpet]

I have a three-week-old tom poult who swallowed a small piece of plastic. (A syringe cap: no sharp edges, about half an inch long.) I contacted our vet and he believed it would "handle itself." I have him isolated for monitoring. His appetite is excellent, acts like he feels fine, drinks regularly, no changes in bowel movements. I'm checking all of his droppings but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I did not ask the vet if he thought Jefferson would pass the cap whole or if it would break down. It was a translucent blue, if it broke down I'm not even sure I could see it. He ate it almost 72 hours ago. I'm just wondering at what point I can stop worrying. Thank you for any feedback.
--Stressed out turkey mama

@casportpony may be able to help

 

[R2elk]

I have a three-week-old tom poult who swallowed a small piece of plastic. (A syringe cap: no sharp edges, about half an inch long.) I contacted our vet and he believed it would "handle itself." I have him isolated for monitoring. His appetite is excellent, acts like he feels fine, drinks regularly, no changes in bowel movements. I'm checking all of his droppings but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I did not ask the vet if he thought Jefferson would pass the cap whole or if it would break down. It was a translucent blue, if it broke down I'm not even sure I could see it. He ate it almost 72 hours ago. I'm just wondering at what point I can stop worrying. Thank you for any feedback.
--Stressed out turkey mama

It won't be able to digest the plastic but it should eventually pass. It will likely stay in its gizzard for quite awhile. Once it gets enough grit in there, it will be able to grind it up. Some large things do pass through the gizzard whole but it can take some time. I have had adult turkeys pass whole plum seeds but I have no idea how long it took. It could have been days, weeks or even a month.

 

[Molpet]

Also at that age it's difficult to tell if it is a jake

 

[BrandySC]

Thank you. Just an update, this post was several weeks ago. We never saw the cap again, not sure if it was broken down or passed whole (I guess it came out). Regardless, Jefferson is now pushing 30 pounds and is completely happy and healthy. It never slowed him down.