Rescued Sick Rio Grande Tom and need info.

[Sharon7Chicks]

Hi - I recently rescued a Rio Grande Tom and Bourbon Red hen from a neglected home. I have had them 2 weeks and they have been de-wormed and are both on antibiotics. The hen is doing great but something is wrong with the Tom. I have never had turkeys before (I have chickens) and don't know what to do. He is approximately a year old and weighs 20 pounds. He is panting a LOT and his feet and legs are swollen. The swelling has gone down in the last week in his legs but his feet are stil swollen. I keep him in a pen in my kitchen in the AC. We have put him on a diet and walk him around a couple of times a day. Is he too big and his heart is working too hard?? Do turkeys pant, even if they aren't hot? (I'm in Austin, TX, so it is very hot here.) I have been scouring the internet about turkey care. The vet says he is too big. Help! Has anyone dealt with this before?
Any info. would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Sharon

 

[PatrickRoo]

For the panting, you may want to give him some cold, seedless watermelon. As for the "swollen" foot, Rio Grande turkeys are commonly used for meat purposes. They are just bigger than other breeds of turkeys. Keep him on a special diet though to keep the extra weight off.