Turkey with swelling all over=head, neck, breast....

[Gwenieloveschickies]

What side is most of the swelling on?

Honestly, she has bilateral ruptured air sacs. She had an inflated head, neck and entire breast area. I’m sure it’s from trauma and being partially immobile for 4-5 weeks.

 

[casportpony]

You mentioned you heard cracking or something? Do you know where it was?

 

[Gwenieloveschickies]

You mentioned you heard cracking or something? Do you know where it was?

Yes the cracklings was air escaping her neck when she appeared as if she was grooming her posterior feathers.

 

[Devils Flower]

I actually lanced the top of her head near the back primarily because that was the easiest spot for me to steer clear from any major parts. Immediately, the air escaped and her head looked normal. I tried to massage her neck and move the air toward the open spot, which she then started looking as if she was grooming herself. In all actuality, I believe she was assisting in the air removal process as when she did it, there were crackling noises sounding like air and slight fluid. She moved her head from side to side until it was flatter on both sides. There air has fully escaped her head and part of her neck area. Now for the breast area….not sure what to do about that. More advice, greatly appreciated. I really appreciate the advice I have already received.

What a improvement .. wow she looks much better. Pour thing.

 

[Gwenieloveschickies]

What a improvement .. wow she looks much better. Pour thing.

Thanks! Yes she does look better and her head is actually not filled with air after the incision.

 

[Bantambird]

I am sorry that I am late to the party! Our go-to antibiotic when I have had turkey or chicken woes has been Exceed. It's and injectable that only has to be given once a week, but if you are going to eat an animal there is a withdrawal time. I had a tom bust one of his air sacs in his chest once, he looked absolutely ridiculous and earned the name air head. He refused to stop gulping air to puff up his chest air sac, too. We ended up lancing his head and neck, but we left the body alone because we did not want to puncture his crop and, although my mother is my primary veterinarian, her partner knows only a little more about poultry medicine than my mother. We gave him the one shot of Exceed and deflated him as necessary around the head and neck and made him comfortable from the other turkeys. His air sac eventually healed. Sometimes I have had crunchy sounds happen in turkeys that have gotten into a bad fight where one party was beaten severely enough to push air under the skin. You can bet the aggressor was dealt with as I don't want turkeys that fight so hard they cause problems, especially when the aggressor is a tom and the target a hen.

 

[Gwenieloveschickies]

I am sorry that I am late to the party! Our go-to antibiotic when I have had turkey or chicken woes has been Exceed. It's and injectable that only has to be given once a week, but if you are going to eat an animal there is a withdrawal time. I had a tom bust one of his air sacs in his chest once, he looked absolutely ridiculous and earned the name air head. He refused to stop gulping air to puff up his chest air sac, too. We ended up lancing his head and neck, but we left the body alone because we did not want to puncture his crop and, although my mother is my primary veterinarian, her partner knows only a little more about poultry medicine than my mother. We gave him the one shot of Exceed and deflated him as necessary around the head and neck and made him comfortable from the other turkeys. His air sac eventually healed. Sometimes I have had crunchy sounds happen in turkeys that have gotten into a bad fight where one party was beaten severely enough to push air under the skin. You can bet the aggressor was dealt with as I don't want turkeys that fight so hard they cause problems, especially when the aggressor is a tom and the target a hen.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if I am able to get the medication over the counter? My local vet declined giving me any meds without seeing the turkey, which I understand and respect his decision. He is booked for another two weeks now.
As far as the air, I did deflate her head and neck area, which has remained deflated. I used a 20 gauge needle yesterday and made an incision on both sides of her breast, barely going in, but enough to cause a drop of blood. I tried to express some air, but no success. I really don’t want to keep poking her if it’s not going to work, but do want to relieve some pressure if I need to. Do you think I need to go deeper? Or is there a particular spot? I know you mentioned leaving some areas alone, but it looks like she has saggy boobs! Thanks for your help! I might add too, she’s our forever pet, so any medication would be fine as we aren’t even eating her eggs right now either.

 

[Bantambird]

Excede is a horse/cow antibiotic dispensed by weight. For my birds, I give about 0.1 to 0.07 mL for chickens, turkeys can take more as it is dispensed by weight at 1.5 mL per 100 lbs (since it is for horses and cows). It can be bought over the counter but I recommend finding a horse/cow person who will share a little bit with you because Excede is spendy and you would never use a whole bottle of it for an itty bitty birdy. It is the most convenient antibiotic I've dealt with because of the delayed release.

 

[Bantambird]

Ruptured air sac will still put air under the skin so as long as you keep the neck and head lanced, the excess air in her breast should work up. You might need to occasionally reopen the drainage hole if air is still escaping and needs to be expressed. I didn't open the breast up because that was where I knew the ruptured air sac was and I wanted to let it be to not cause further trauma. Airhead ruptured his in a fight with a different tom. Pooped it like a balloon

 

[casportpony]

Excede is a horse/cow antibiotic dispensed by weight. For my birds, I give about 0.1 to 0.07 mL for chickens, turkeys can take more as it is dispensed by weight at 1.5 mL per 100 lbs (since it is for horses and cows). It can be bought over the counter but I recommend finding a horse/cow person who will share a little bit with you because Excede is spendy and you would never use a whole bottle of it for an itty bitty birdy. It is the most convenient antibiotic I've dealt with because of the delayed release.

I think it's prescription only.