Sick Turkey

[jbowen53]

I posted this in BYC and it was suggested to post here:
We have a Tom turkey that we have raised along with our chicken flock. He suddenly went down and of course we rushed him to the vet that specializes in birds thinking he might have a broken leg or wing. All x-rays were negative, fecal - negative and then they did the blood work that showed he has some type of virus. He's been on antibiotics for seven days now and still won't stand. He eats good, drinks well and poops incredibly well, he just wont or cant stand. We have even been giving him daily warm salt baths and making him stand up. He falls asleep during the baths (what a great life) Anyway, does anyone have any idea that would help us? I fear if he doesn't get up soon he will have to be put down. Can't afford anymore vet bills (this one was over $500.00)
Update: He still won't stand and we can't keep carrying him around and spending all the time cleaning up after him. We have rigged a sling that keeps him elevated off the ground just enough to allow him to stand up. If this doesn't work..... Any suggestions? Vet wants another 85.00 just to get another round of antibiotics which we can not afford. We have also been giving him vitamins in his water to boost his system.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Vet wants another 85.00 just to get another round of antibiotics which we can not afford.

Antibiotics don't kill virus's, they kill bacteria. What kind of virus did the vet say it was?

Sounds a bit like Marek's is a possibility. But many things can look like that. I've been wondering why I see so many chicken stories about Marek's and not turkey stories... when the vaccine they are using on chicken is a dead turkey virus.

Please how old is your Tom? And what has he been fed?

 

[jbowen53]

Antibiotics don't kill virus's, they kill bacteria. What kind of virus did the vet say it was?

Sounds a bit like Marek's is a possibility. But many things can look like that. I've been wondering why I see so many chicken stories about Marek's and not turkey stories... when the vaccine they are using on chicken is a dead turkey virus.

Please how old is your Tom? And what has he been fed?

I'm very sorry I didn't respond earlier, I don't get on this site as often as I should. The vet, who was a bird specialist, was unable to identify and labeled it "undetermined virus". The bottom line is we had to put him to sleep. He just would not respond to any of our efforts and it wasn't fair to him to keep him alive when he couldn't get up and get around, or protect himself. Thanks for the information as I am going to look up Marek's disease and learn about the virus.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks for the information as I am going to look up Marek's disease and learn about the virus.

Very sorry for your loss.

A necropsy would have possibly confirmed what you were truly dealing with as sometimes things cannot be identified very accurately while alive. If you do face something like that again, here is information to help with getting a necropsy including state labs which are far superior to any local veterinary services in my experience with this type of stuff...
How to Send a Bird for a Necropsy

State poultry labs

Also the best information I have read regarding Marek's in easy to understand and accurate form is in this link...
Marek's

Sound like you made a difficult but best choice for your animal.

I hope any others you have continue to thrive and that your joy outweighs your pain.