Help. Sick one week old turkey poult

Meaola

Chirping
Apr 17, 2015
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Hello all. I am new to the forum and new to turkeys. Today will be the fourth day with my first turkeys that I purchased from a local feed store that said they came from a local breeder. They told me they were about a week old. One is very small. The others are growing in leaps and bounds daily. This one had blood in its stool and so did one of the others. So, on Saturday, I called the vet I work for and he recommended using Albon (which is in the same class as Sulmed) for 3 to 5 days since that is all I had on hand. The blood is gone now, but it is still not eating well, is depressed and sleepy. It had green poo yesterday so I tubed it with some cooked egg yolk, mixed with a little yogurt, and pedialyte several times throughout the day. This morning I noticed it trying to poo, but nothing came out. I also noticed that the area around its umbilical stump is a dark color (purple/black on the abdomen) I have no idea if this is normal or not. No poo is stuck on it. It does drink water occasionally and picks once or twice at the food, but then shakes its head. It has been this way since I brought it home (sleepy, droopy wings, and not eating/drinking right). The temp seems right where they are, as the others are happy, content, and eating. The little one will move away from the light, but does stay under it most of the time.The only reason I am not giving up is because it is still alive and has brief moments of perkiness. Does anyone have any advice for me?
 
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Bruising on the belly could mean infection or coccidiosis. I would also tube just pedialyte until it starts pooping again. Will the vet sell you Baytril?

-Kathy
 
Bruising on the belly could mean infection or coccidiosis. I would also tube just pedialyte until it starts pooping again. Will the vet sell you Baytril?

-Kathy

We have it in pill form. But, I know in other animals it is not supposed to be used in young (growing) animals. Is that the case with turkeys or not? I also got Corid today. I am thinking of treating them all with it in the water. I am not sure what to do with this one. Switch to Corid? Add antibiotics to its treatment? LOL, I have been a vet tech for 27 years, but I dont know much about turkeys at all and neither does the vet I work with currently. This forum seems to be the place with the most experience and expertise. And, I have read several of your posts, Kathy...thank you for chiming in. Any advice will be appreciated. LOL...I have a motto..."Nothing dies on my shift". I run a horse rescue and have saved everything from baby birds, squirrels, rabbits, chickens, pheasants, pigeons, dogs, horses, and cats...but no turkeys! (YET)
 
Here is a bunch of info on Baytril (enrofloxacin). Has info like dosing for the different species, drug interactions, side effects, etc.












-Kathy
 
Here is a bunch of info on Baytril (enrofloxacin). Has info like dosing for the different species, drug interactions, side effects, etc.












-Kathy

Thank you...handy Merck you have...I need to get one for at home :) Will start today and I will let you know how it goes. Do you think I should start the Corid the water as well? It does drink occasionally. Or I could tube it with some daily?
 
I have been known to use both at the same time. You probably already know this, but if you're going to make your own Baytril solution, you should use distilled or sterile water. Bonus if you have the compounding syrup.
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-Ktahy
 

Yes, thank you. Good news is we have had some poo and it is looking better (the poo, anyway) Like I said, I am surprised it is hanging on and has perky moments. It is weak though. However, it jumped the water bowl a few minutes ago, flapping its wings as it

ran to the others. Here are a couple of pics I took last night. It is supposed to be the same age as the others (9 to 10 days), but it is smaller than the 4 day old Black Spanish babies, and you can see the difference in size in the comparison pics with the others.




The others are growing like weeds, this one has not changed much at all. I have named it Little Bo Peep :) Thanks so much for your help! Ann :) PS...I have no clue what breed it is as I was told it was a Bourbon Red. But, I was corrected about that. It certainly looks nothing like a Bourbon Red poult. LOL
 
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