Sick Turkey

[TrapnTam]

Hello. I have very sick turkey. Seemed like he had a respiratory issue. Was doing well. Yesterday came home to find him very lethargic unable to really stand. Breathing very heavy. Crop was soft. Later in the evening I noticed like pale yellow poop. I’m concerned if I treat him for a respiratory infection. But my concern is if he actually sick from blackhead. Someone please help

 

[FowlProtector]

"Watching her struggle is truly challenging, especially when you're doing your utmost to support her. It must be devastating.

On a positive note, it could be encouraging if her crop feels softer and squishier now. This may suggest that the impaction is starting to ease. While there may still be some fermentation or blockage, the sour liquid indicates that her food is decomposing. You're doing a fantastic job of supporting her progress with the soft-boiled egg and coconut oil.

I understand your concern that she isn't eating. That’s certainly worrying. Her weakness may be due to dehydration, her body still adjusting from everything that happened with her crop, or simply a lack of food. Continue offering soft foods."

 

[FowlProtector]

Please Make sure she drinks plenty of water, especially if she's not eating much. Water with electrolytes is important for her health. Use a poultry electrolyte solution or mix a little salt and sugar into her water for needed hydration and nutrients. If she has a blockage or feels uncomfortable in her crop, gently massage that area to help clear any obstructions. Always do this softly and in a downward direction to keep her stress low. Feed her smaller meals more often rather than large ones. This is easier on her digestive system and helps her eat and digest better. Watch her droppings closely; if they smell sour or look watery, it might mean she has ongoing digestive problems.

 

[TrapnTam]

Please Make sure she drinks plenty of water, especially if she's not eating much. Water with electrolytes is important for her health. Use a poultry electrolyte solution or mix a little salt and sugar into her water for needed hydration and nutrients. If she has a blockage or feels uncomfortable in her crop, gently massage that area to help clear any obstructions. Always do this softly and in a downward direction to keep her stress low. Feed her smaller meals more often rather than large ones. This is easier on her digestive system and helps her eat and digest better. Watch her droppings closely; if they smell sour or look watery, it might mean she has ongoing digestive problems.

He’s not eating at all. I’m more worried that it may be blackhead disease. Not eating and we have been syringe giving him water a vitamins/electrolytes it in. He feels really warm too. His droppings today I saw was really watery like a pale yellow with some green droppings in it

 

[FowlProtector]

Given that your turkey isn't eating and the symptoms you're observing, I can only imagine how difficult this must be. What you can do is as follows:

Don't let him get too heated. Just make sure he's in a comfortable environment that's between 75°F and 80°F because he's already feeling warm. To prevent overheating him, use your heat light sparingly and at a safe distance.
It's fantastic that you're giving him water with vitamins and electrolytes via syringe. To aid with hydration, that is crucial. To make the water more enticing, you may even try adding a small amount of honey. Continue doing it as much as you can to help him.

Blackhead sickness may be the cause of the watery yellow and greenish droppings, which is certainly cause for alarm. Try giving him soft things like wet chicken feed, boiling oats, or scrambled eggs if he isn't eating yet. Continue syringe-feeding him those soft meals so he may obtain some nutrition if he refuses to eat it on his own.
To allow him to relax and recuperate stress-free, it's also a good idea to keep him in a peaceful, secluded area. This lessens the possibility of sharing anything infectious and helps his body concentrate on recovery.

Contacting a veterinarian would be the best course of action. The proper prescription can treat blackheads, but the veterinarian can verify the condition and advise you on the best course of action.

You're doing everything you can to help your turkey recover from this, and I sincerely hope he feels well soon!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello. I have very sick turkey. Seemed like he had a respiratory issue. Was doing well. Yesterday came home to find him very lethargic unable to really stand. Breathing very heavy. Crop was soft. Later in the evening I noticed like pale yellow poop. I’m concerned if I treat him for a respiratory infection. But my concern is if he actually sick from blackhead. Someone please help

I'm sorry to hear about your Turkey, Blackhead can be very serious and deadly for them.

If you feel that he's suffering from Blackhead then you need to treat right away. Seeking vet care if possible, but often that's not an option.

The posts below is fairly detailed in how to treat Blackhead, you may want to check that out or do an onsite search for other treatment options.

Update: I find updates so helpful- the two chicks never showed signs of sickness, but our turkey got sick. Her symptoms were: lethargy, closing eyes while standing up, not alert or curious, refused to eat but was drinking excessively, diarrhea (a few yellow but mostly green), lots of panting (noticed she does do this though when she lays down), felt very hot to the touch, and lots of sleeping.

We treated the chicks with Corid in their water for 3 days. They never had more bloody poop.

We decided our turkey's symptoms seemed more like blackhead. She is 15.5 lbs. We treated her with Corid for 3 days (1 ml in morning and 1 ml in evening). We gave her metronidazole (currently on day 5 of 5-day treatment) (1/2 tsp of powder in water via tube and syringe 1 time a day), and Baytril for secondary infection- currently on day 5 of 5-day treatment (1.06ml two times per day). We also treated her with Safeguard (.23 ml per pound). She still needs her 2nd dose (10 days after first).

On the second day of treatment she greatly improved and began eating. Over the past 4 days she has each day got firmer poops and she is not sleepy and she is her old self with energy both eating and drinking. Her poops still have a greenish tinge but getting better by the day.

We still need to deworm the chicks and sterilize their coop before reintroducing the turkey. The turkey has been inside this whole time recieving our constant care (she is very active and into everything if we don't watch her). We might buy an intermediate cage/coop so we can put her back outside in two days before she re-enters the coop.

I have heard from some that even though blackhead is caused by a protozoa carried by the cecal worm, that turkeys can develop an immunity (somehow?), and often after treatment with metronidazole won't get blackhead again. Hope this is true. We will regularly worm the flock and keep keeping things as clean as possible. I think I will try adding cayenne to food, but have heard this does not prevent blackhead, but others say it works. Hope this info helps others.

Progression of poop pics

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...no-poo-pics-included.1585498/#post-26956696Is this a pet turkey? Is a vet an option?

If mine, this is what I would give:

• Metronidazole for blackhead - 23 mg per pound orally once a day for five days.
• Baytril (enrofloxacin) for E.coli - 7 mg per pound orally twice a day for 3-5 days.
• Baycox (toltrazuril) for coccidiosis - 10 mg per pound orally once a day for 2-3 days.
• Safeguard (fenbendazole) for cecal worms - 23 mg per pound orally once. Repeat in 10 days.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-antibiotics-for-turkeys.1599550/