Coyote attack

[c4ck4]

I've been giving him 1/2cc of Pen G Pro every morning, and stopped with the baby aspirin. I've been observing the swelling around the neck wound and it seems to be doing okay. Should I continue with a light coat of neosporin topically or withhold that because the Penicillin is good enough?

He was strong enough to jump up and roost on the edge of the box yesterday! Good! So I built him a roost, his legs must have been getting tired of standing all the time or sleeping face first in the straw. Probably wasn't good for his lungs either.

We've rigged up a new feeder and waterer at his face level, and he's able to self feed and water finally but with some difficulty. His neck still seems really stiff though and his throat pipes are still wrapped around behind his neck. He'll eat grain for a while, and then a big lump will form and go down his throat all at once, you can even track it because his feathers move as it goes down.

All in all I think he's saved! And getting stronger every day. There is still a matter of whether his neck injury continues to prevent him from really thriving, and a decision will eventually need to be made at that time, but for now I'm not as worried about him surviving anymore. Thank you for all your help, we couldn't have done it without you.

 

[Michael Apple]

That's your call on the Neosporin. From what you described, that's 4 days of recovery that looks good. The main thing I'd pay attention to is keeping flies away from the wounds and preventing the turkey from picking at his own wounds. A spray like Martin's Horse and Stable spray has pyrethrine and can be used topically if needed to repel flies. I hope you continue to see improvement and was glad to help. You're doing very well for him. You're welcome, and let me know how you and the turkey are doing.

 

[c4ck4]

He's in a box in the garage and it's pretty tight and I don't think many flies will get in there thankfully. His wounds are pretty high up on his neck and with him as stiff as he is I don't think him picking will be a problem either, but good to know for future issues.

I gave him his 3rd shot of penicillin today but I'm concerned about his ability to self feed/water. Sometimes if he's across the roost its as if he doesn't remember where his food is. Or sometimes when he's eating I'll pour in some water and suddenly he'll drink and drink like he's forgotten where the water was the whole time. I'm hoping he doesn't have brain damage or some kind of short term memory issue. I've thought he's self feeding/watering but maybe he isn't as much as I thought.

 

[Chickery Chick]

When I had my hen isolated in a small cage in the house due to fly strike she did the same thing.....seemed to forget where the food and water was. I'd check on her day and night. I noticed she had not touched her food sense last check, but then when I'd put the bowl of food or water right in front of her she gobbled and drank it down like she was starved. She did get fussy at times and she loved soft bread pieces just pinched the size for her to eat. She also loved small puppy kibble. Maybe soak these items or coat with buttermilk for ease of food going down neck in your case. It took a long time for her large open wound to heal. About 2 months. We used Genocin injections because we had it on hand
http://www.drugs.com/vet/gentocin-injectable-solution-100-mg-can.html
but penicillin injections probably better.

 

[c4ck4]

The turkey was continuing to get better for some time, but I'm beginning to be convinced that his neck may be broken, badly sprained or possibly dislocated. I'm not willing to wrench his neck to try and pop it back in place (especially not knowing that that's the problem). He can sort of eat and drink on his own but his progress has plateaued and his ability to feed himself is limited. I suspect any life he may have had ahead might be far less than thriving at best, and cruel at worst.

He was intended as a meat bird, but I wanted to give him the best thriving turkey life he could have. I hope I didn't unnecessarily prolong his pain by trying to save him.

 

[Chickery Chick]

Don't give up until he does. He will let you know. If depression and lack of appetite occurs, after all attempts, then I'd say he is giving up and then you'll know you have done everything you could, thus you'll feel better about your decision if it means putting him to rest. He may need to build new muscle, or swollen soft tissue. Might be worth a trip to the Vets to help you decide what to do. If you put him down and have questions, your not knowing may haunt you.