URGENT! Turkey leg injury, I have a video!

[EthanJM]

I know he is not a chicken, but this is an emergency, and chickens and turkeys have very similar leg anatomy.

This is Wybie, he is a three year old male, and weighs 45 pounds. He is part of our family, and since he hurt his leg last night I can't stop worrying. There is a video below.

It started last night when the chickens and turkeys were heading back to the coop for the night. Wybie did his usual routine where he tries to stand off with me, he only does this to men, Wendy our female does it to women. He normally doesn't attack, but he makes aggressive chirps, if he gets too close he will sometimes peck or hit you with his wing. I normally just shove him back with my foot, no impacts, just place my foot on him and give a light shove to put some distance between us. He seems like he may be enjoying it a little, so I have tried not to reinforce this behavior too much. Last night I think he was standing awkwardly or in the middle of a step, and he tripped sideways (this was a particularly light shove), he immediately had trouble standing and walking on it since. He was breathing heavily, was in obvious pain, so I have gave him aspirin last night, that allowed him to breath normally and get some rest. I checked on him throughout the night many times. This morning my fiancee let him out, according to her, at first he walked awkwardly, but did okay, it didn't take long though before he was limping badly again. Today not long ago I have him 700mg of aspirin, which supposedly isn't enough for his weight (25mg per pound), but I am worried about overdosing him giving him more aspirin than even I take weighting 175 pounds.

He still has a healthy appetite, and eats and drinks fine. I cannot tell the difference between the healthy leg and the injured one. I have felt from top to bottom, hip, pelvis, femur, hock, foot, everything. There is no heat, and no breaks, I cannot find swelling or bruising either. Every step he appears to be having trouble stepping forward, like his leg want to go backwards. But he seems to stand with no problems. I could really use someone advice who is more experienced with leg injuries in poultry. I put a hock splint on, he seems like he might be walking a little better with it, but it could also be the aspirin kicking in. I am very worried, and quite frankly feel awful. He is already at a disadvantage being so overweight (believe it or not we have been trying to make him lose weight). I don't want him to have a life long debilitating injury. Video is below.

UPDATE
This site is not allowing me to link a video, and is telling me I have to wait for a moderator to check it first. I don't have time for this, I need him diagnosed while it is still in early stages. If you would please bear with me. I uploaded the video on my fiancees youtube account, the name of the account is "Chloe Crofton". Name of the video is "BackyardChickensWybieLegInjury". Please check it out.

 

[Gayleyy]

I am NOT AN EXPERT, but, I would not let him out to wander around. He would most certainly do better in a small space where he can rest his leg. I will look at the video and look for some info, but hopefully someone with more knowledge will post soon.

 

[Gayleyy]

Oh poor baby, that leg is really sore! I can not tell if it is broken, or just sprained. As I said, put him into a small space, a cage if you have one. Supply fresh food and water close to the bird, so he does not have to walk around to get it. I am sure that a few electrolytes would be a good idea too.

 

[EthanJM]

Thank you, any diet that helps him recover I will certainly supply him. He has been sitting in the shade all day, he has only walked when I wanted him to, the exception being when the coop door was opened in the morning. I will have him sit for the rest of the days until he recovers. If he tries forcing himself to walk too much, I will make him rest.

 

[Gayleyy]

You are welcome. i am just sorry that I do not know more about Turkey's.

 

[Speckledhen86]

I am Ethan's fiance ( he didnt know I already had a backyardchicken account)-Wybie is our gentle giant turkey- we are very attached to him. My avatar shows Wybie with his female hen Wendy- we love them so much and are feeling very concerned and apprehensive about this sudden injury and how he will get better. His weight due to his breeding is not a helpful factor to his recovery and his age too- he is middle aged at three. We have accepted he may not live till six- the older age range for a domestic turkey but we want him to make it to his max- he is a sweet natured pet, it is hard to imagine him not with us anymore.
Since his last post, Wybie has started to puff out and try to strut- while standing still which seems very positive and hopeful. Also his right foot now is clearly swollen and his inside right toe shows little resistance and could be broken or damaged. Possibly the injury is in his foot, toe or ankle only and not his leg or hip? The aspirin is definitely helping him and we will continue to give that, but still taking care not to overdo the amount in his system.