Turkey fell off slaughter truck- Rescued but needs help!

[DwayneNLiz]

I'm not sure if it's relevant, but the maggots (I call them that for lack of a better word) don't so much look like the maggots I'm used to seeing. They're much much smaller (maybe 1mm in size?) - not sure if they just hatched or what though.

Picture???

 

[GrandpaUtz]

Hello There,

I don't know anything about turkeys... So I'm terribly sorry that I can not help. But wonderful job to you and your girlfriend for rescuing him, not many folks do that and that's what we need more of in this crazy world! You are doing a great job and receiving great advice from all the BYCer's on this thread.

Welcome to Backyard Chickens too! Great to have you and have a good time.

-Angry Hen

Thank you for you kind words!

 

[GrandpaUtz]

Picture???

I wasn't able to get a picture, it was kind of dark and my camera didn't focus unfortunately. Maybe I'll be able to tomorrow. But they just looked like tiny white worms/maggots. Just way smaller than I'm used to ever seeing maggots be....

 

[sumi]

Good morning. Checking in to see how Sebastian is doing. Sorry to hear about the bugs, but love the new digs!

 

[theoldchick]

The appearance of maggots can gross out even the most experienced veterinary professional. However, if caught in time, a maggot infestation is very treatable. Did you know in certain situations some Veterinary pros will use maggots to clean a wound? Really gross, I know, but they do an incredible job of clearing out infected tissue. Once you clean out the infestation ( washing the area with cat flea shampoo works great!) treat the wound as you normally would. Just be aware if you have maggots in one area you need to be especially vigilant to watch for other areas of possible infestation-under the wings. Remember, maggots like moist/humid/warm flesh to grow in. If you do treat the area with any type of cream/spray/washing make sure you dry the area completely. Your fleshy giant my enjoy a quick once over with a hair dryer after being treated. And since he is moribund be mindful of pressure sores that will develop on his chest. I know this situation is stressful for you, and this might not turn out the way you want, but always remember you gave this bird a chance. Something he didn't have until he met you.

 

[GrandpaUtz]

Good morning. Checking in to see how Sebastian is doing. Sorry to hear about the bugs, but love the new digs!

Good morning! Thank you! - Status update is below!

The appearance of maggots can gross out even the most experienced veterinary professional. However, if caught in time, a maggot infestation is very treatable. Did you know in certain situations some Veterinary pros will use maggots to clean a wound? Really gross, I know, but they do an incredible job of clearing out infected tissue. Once you clean out the infestation ( washing the area with cat flea shampoo works great!) treat the wound as you normally would. Just be aware if you have maggots in one area you need to be especially vigilant to watch for other areas of possible infestation-under the wings. Remember, maggots like moist/humid/warm flesh to grow in. If you do treat the area with any type of cream/spray/washing make sure you dry the area completely. Your fleshy giant my enjoy a quick once over with a hair dryer after being treated. And since he is moribund be mindful of pressure sores that will develop on his chest. I know this situation is stressful for you, and this might not turn out the way you want, but always remember you gave this bird a chance. Something he didn't have until he met you.

Thank you for your kind words! (I've said that so many times the past few days, you guys are all great here!)

Well hopefully the bugs do clean it out a little bit, seeing them makes me queasy but looking at info all last night on everything, and seeing people's advice here I gotta do what I gotta do. He's come too far to let this do him in now! (Although I accept the very real possibility that survival just might not be in the cards, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he lives a quality life for whatever time he has left).

I went in this morning and woke him up. His food didn't really look touched, but I put it in there and pretty much put him right to bed afterwards so hopefully he eats a bit today.

I'm still stressing, but am a good bit less so than yesterday about the whole thing. This afternoon I am picking up permethrin spray, hydrogen peroxide, and new clean bedding for him, my girlfriend is coming over and we are cleaning out that wound. I'll make sure to thoroughly check him for any other potentially infected areas.

He was just sitting in that disgusting drain water for god knows how long, I can only imagine how filthy his wounds are. I sprayed him down with the Vetitcyn spray last night and gave him his pain medicine. So hopefully he is a little more docile when I handle him today. (Though he was hissing at me this morning when I went to pet him. Ungrateful little bugger, I'll tell you what!)

 

[andreanar]

I would skip the peroxide, it tends to macerate healthy tissue. Instead, use normal saline or chlorhexidine and a syringe to flush out the wounds. If the wounds are deeper than just surface, youll need to put the syringe down into the wounds and really give a good flush to get those wounds clean and maggots out.
I know all about ungrateful buggers! I saved a goose that had been hit by a car and got bit for my kindness! LOL

 

[sumi]

It sounds like he's feeling better! And he'd been hanging in there until now, so he's a fighter. Staying positive Once the wounds are taken care of we can see how you're doing and work on forgiveness (his)

 

[GrandpaUtz]

I would skip the peroxide, it tends to macerate healthy tissue. Instead, use normal saline or chlorhexidine and a syringe to flush out the wounds. If the wounds are deeper than just surface, youll need to put the syringe down into the wounds and really give a good flush to get those wounds clean and maggots out.
I know all about ungrateful buggers! I saved a goose that had been hit by a car and got bit for my kindness! LOL

All right I can buy some saline solution. My vet told me that hydrogen peroxide would be good, but the poultry wound spray should also be good for killing wounds I would think I'm not 100% on this though. I will buy some saline/contact solution to use to wash it out with, though, and a syringe too. And that goose sounds about as grateful as Sebastian! I'm just hoping he isn't a mean sucker when he's all spry and healthy!

It sounds like he's feeling better! And he'd been hanging in there until now, so he's a fighter. Staying positive Once the wounds are taken care of we can see how you're doing and work on forgiveness (his)

I sure hope so! Hopefully he recognizes what all we've done for him once he is healthy!


Quick question: should I buy all new bedding and totally clean out all of the straw in there? The bale of straw I have in there had been sitting outside for a day, and he's been in the straw (not on the bale or anything though). Or will just cleaning out the straw from the floor and replacing it be fine?

 

[Isaac 0]

Quick question: should I buy all new bedding and totally clean out all of the straw in there? The bale of straw I have in there had been sitting outside for a day, and he's been in the straw (not on the bale or anything though). Or will just cleaning out the straw from the floor and replacing it be fine?

As long as the straw bale inst moldy/wet or infested with parasites it will be fine there.