Turkey baby has bad eye!!! HELP!

[chickensducks&agoose]

one of my Bourbon reds (born on wednesday), has his eye closed. I opened the eye and it's all foggy... otherwise he seems to be doing okay... what can I do???? is he uneatable?

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

please?

 

[blackcat0229]

Dear Worried,

It may be an infection - sometimes the NON-cortisone containing antibiotic eye ointments will help. Get them at TSC or other vet supply. Do not use any with hydrocortisone in them on this eye. If it is an infection, it will clear up - and you can eat. SOMEtimes the infection does clear, but the eye stays cloudy/blind. You can still eat.

If not, it is a cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eye - just like in humans. Completely harmless, except that eye will be essentially blind, except to light & dark differentiation. You can eat - don't breed, it is sometimes hereditary.

Good luck. It is usually better (not to mean don't treat) if there is no "pussy or crusty" drainage or matting around eye. Matting & crusting means infection.

Good luck.
Blackcat0229

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

THANK you! There is no crusting, drainage, or anything other than a closed eye-lid with a cloudy eyeball inside. My TSC is out of opthamic medicine, but I'm going to call my vet today and try to get some. If I don't get the medicine in time, will he die?

 

[blackcat0229]

Dear Worried Turkey Parent,

No drainage, no crusting - very little risk of dying of THIS problem. Babies have their own risks of dying, we know.

If it was seriously infected - different issue.

(no guarantees on stuff like dogs, cats, other critters killing him because he's blind on one side)

Good luck, sounds like this guy should do as well as any other baby.

Blackcat0229

Mom to 7 turkeys, 14 turkey eggs.

(2 slate, 1 bronze, 12 crimson dawn bronze (eggs), 1 Eastern wild hen, 3 Rio grands - 1 tom, 2 hens)
See my page to see "Grayson" my big slate tom!

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

HE DIED!!!! And another of the turkeys looks slightly cloudy in one eye now. Is it contagious? Are they pecking each other's eyes? I went in this morning and he was all flat! I've only ever had one chick die before, and I am horrified. Plus, turkeys are super expensive! ARGH. I hope he died from being squished, and not from the eye thing...

 

[rainnotebook]

So sorry! I just had a few die today... its heart breaking. If I lost one of my Turkey babies I'd be heartbroken. Sorry for your loss!

 

[blackcat0229]

Dear Turkey Mom,

I am so sorry about your baby turkey. And a bourbon red too. I am so very sorry.

This changes the scenario. Please see your aviary vet. It may be Arizonosis. I pray it is not.

Occurs worldwide in young turkeys, caused by Bacterium-Salmonella Arizona. The effects are same as other Salmonella infections- Diarrhoea, lameness, somnolence (sleepiness), laboured breathing, blindness & mortality. Tremors, convulsions and twisted necks may also be seen. Transmitted same way as other salmonella: bird to bird and between farms. Common carriers include birds, rodents & sometimes reptiles (turtles usually).

Separate babies from adults. Keep litter clean & dry. Ormetoprin in the water & furazolidone in feed are effective treatments. Wash your hands - keep sanitizing gel in barn & use frequently when handling birds. Clean water founts daily with white vinegar.

Please, call the Agriculture department at the University, or your local Ag agent to find out who your local poultry specialist is.

You are in my prayers. Sorry I couldn't help - I hoped it was something "simple".
Blackcat0229