sick Turkey.. help!!

[Tunastopper]

The only thing I can think of is that maybe she is soon to lay? All the males in the coop were picking on her, including the ducks. I've not actually seen anyone mount her, though I can't say it hasn't happened.... they have tried.

Not even close to being old enough to lay. When ever birds start picking on a bird it is natures way of putting them out of there missery. The other birds no they are dieing.​

 

[Frosty]

'The other birds no they are dieing.'? Sometimes it simply means that one is at the bottom of the pecking order and is getting picked on. I had a goose that the other geese beat up one winter, I took her out and she healed up fine. That summer she seemed to get along with the others so I returned her to the flock. All was well until the following spring when they once again beat her up, this time badly so I removed her again and honestly thought that she was a goner. It took a month, but again she healed up fine. At this point I decided that she wasn't going back in with the flock and she ran free. She wasn't picked on because she was dying, she was just apparently at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[Tunastopper]

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I think it is much more than just at the bottom of the pecky order when even the ducks are pecking at her. She is dieing. She is sperated and in three days she has not moved. Something more is going on. I wonder if she does not have use of her legs do to her weight? I have seen the BBB break down until the maggets start externaly and internally eating them because they cant get away from there own poop.

 

[terri9630]

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Maggots eat dead tissue, not live healthy tissue.

 

[Tunastopper]

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Maggots eat dead tissue, not live healthy tissue.

Here is a artical about dogs and maggots. Same thing happens to turkeys that can't get up and soil themself. I have seen this in many types of animals and it can happen fast in warm weather. The maggots saliva become toxic to the animal. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/myiasis-maggots-in-dogs/page1.aspx



Myiasis is a the term used to describe a maggot infestation. Maggots are fly larva that feed on necrotic and dying tissue. Especially prone are those pets confined to the outdoors with situations in which their skin remains moist. This includes pets with draining wounds, urine or fecal stained hair coats, or bacterial skin infections. Sustained skin moisture can cause damage, inflammation and infection setting up a favorable environment for maggots. This applies especially to weak and debilitated pets.

The majority of maggots found on pets are larva from blowflies (family Callliphoria). The blowfly lays many eggs on decaying, infected or inflamed tissue. In favorable weather (warm and moist) the eggs hatch within 24 hours. The cone shaped larva uses its specialized mouth parts, including hooks, to lap up liquids and pierce the skin. After feeding and maturing for 5-7 days, the maggots leave the animal and enter the soil.

Adult flies then emerge a few weeks later. Some maggots only invade dead or dying tissue. Unfortunately, some do not know when to stop and leave the decaying tissue to start feeding on healthy tissue.
What to Watch For


Moist skin areas, especially around wounds or where urine or feces touch skin

Small thin tubular worms found in wounds that range in size from 1/4 inch to one inch, often approximately the size of a grain of rice. They are rarely found alone.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of myiasis is based on visualizing the maggots on the skin or in the wounds. Fly eggs can sometimes be found. Eggs (also called fly blow) are small white and sticky. They usually can only be removed by shaving the hair.

After diagnosing myiasis, the underlying infection or skin problem that led to the maggot infestation should also be investigated and treated.

Treatment

Treatment of myiasis is to remove the maggots physically. Maggots are quite hardy and can be difficult to kill safely. Many potent insecticides can kill maggots but they put the weak and debilitated pet in danger of insecticide poisoning.

Shaving the hair from the affected area is the first step. After hair removal, the extent of the maggot infestation can now be seen. Frequently, the maggots hide under the hair coat and extend a lot further than initially suspected.

After shaving, physically removing the maggots – sometimes one at a time – is the next step. Frequently, there are hundreds of tiny maggots that burrow under the skin, and removal of all maggots may take several hours.

Mild insecticide can be applied briefly and then washed off to reduce potential harm to the pet.

After removal of the maggots, the skin must be allowed to heal. In severe cases, sections of skin die and must be removed. If a significant amount of skin has been damaged, skin grafts may be required.

Home Care and Prevention

If caught early, the skin can be shaved and the maggot removed. Frequently, the owners are unaware of the maggots due to the hair coat covering the area. Most maggot infestations should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.

The best way to prevent myiasis is to prevent skin diseases or infections that attract blowflies. Wounds should be cleaned and treated promptly. Urine and feces should be thoroughly washed off daily. Weak and debilitated pets should remain primarily indoors and frequently checked for urine staining or fecal matter. Skin infections should be treated promptly.

 

[shellrae7]

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Well unfortunately the turkey was dead this morning when we went out to check on it. Last night my son said there was worms all over her bum crawling all over her. But it was already dark outside, and I wasn't about to go deal with it, when I was pretty sure she'd die soon anyway. I was thinking I'd have to take her out of her misery this morning, but I actually made a fatal mistake for her on accident. We had her penned on the lawn and the sprinklers come on 2 nights a week. I forgot about that. So she probably froze to death in the night. Were in not for the water, she may have been ok. I am embarrassed to admit this mistake, but I do believe in honesty.

And truthfully, even if I could've nursed her back to health, I'm not sure I'd want to butcher her after all that anyway. So thanks for all the help.... unfortunately sometimes animals are the brunt of our learning and experience. I think her legs were fine, she is about the same size as the two toms, and they didn't seem abnormally large. I just have them on regular feed with the chickens, mixed w/ scratch and some free range from time to time.

I am concernced about the rest of my flock and watching them closely, in case sickness spreads. But I don't really even know what to look for.

 

[Tunastopper]

I am sorry. I do think she was dieing anyways, and nothing could be done.

 

[thaiturkey]

What a sad end for her.

Do you have any good books on how to care for turkeys?

 

[valewife]

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Can you recommend some good books for beginners like me?
On raising pets, not for processing.
Thanks.

 

[thaiturkey]

Quote:
Can you recommend some good books for beginners like me?
On raising pets, not for processing.
Thanks.

I buy my books from Amazon UK and have them shipped to where I live. Here's a link to Amazon US that might help you:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...tripbooks-tree&field-keywords=turkeys&x=0&y=0

Read the reviews to get an idea whether a particular book may be right for you. The only one that I have read from that selection is 'Not Just For Christmas'. The author keeps turkeys in Britain and clearly loves her flock. perhaps other BYC members can suggest good books.

Also, keep asking for advice on BYC. I'm in my first year with turkeys and have found the advice and support here very helpful.