warm, swollen turkey leg

[Trampmom]

I have a 3 year old broad breasted white turkey hen. She has been limping for about a month. Her left foot and leg are a bit swollen and warm/hot. Between her size, her temperament, and the polar vortex, it's been a challenge to try to take care of this.

I've looked at the bottom of her feet (which was not easy!), and the only thing I noticed was kind of a flap that looks like it could have been from an old injury/cut. I'm out with my birds multiple times every day and never saw any sign of blood. The only other thing I can think of that might have happened is that sometimes she jumps up on a low stool to sleep on, and maybe she injured her leg when she jumped down. My coop has a wood floor with a thick layer of shavings, and whenever she's still on it in the morning when I go out, I will lift her off.

We're finally getting a little warmer weather, and my daughter is available to help. I've been soaking her feet in warm epsom salt water for about 15 minutes every day that it's warm enough. I moved her into a small coop to limit her movement. For a few days now, I've been putting Neosporin on that "flap", and then a piece of gauze and vet wrap.

I'm guessing she probably has an infection, but I've never had to deal with that before. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what I should do. I'm not able to give her injections myself. I do know of a vet that I used one time for a chicken. Maybe they would see the turkey, but they are 45 minutes away, and it would be tough trying to haul a 30-plus pound, grouchy turkey. I will do it if I have to though

I am attaching pictures of her feet. There is an arrow pointing to the "flap".

 

[R2elk]

My suggestion is to do a search in the Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures forum for bumblefoot.

 

[Trampmom]

My suggestion is to do a search in the Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures forum for bumblefoot.

Thank you for the reply. One of the first things I researched was bumblefoot. I saw no signs of it on the bottom of her feet.

 

[R2elk]

Thank you for the reply. One of the first things I researched was bumblefoot. I saw no signs of it on the bottom of her feet.

The last picture in your post looks like bumblefoot to me.

 

[Trampmom]

I'm so glad you're replying! Can you tell me where you see it? The only thing is, the last picture is of her right foot, and it's the left one that is swollen.

 

[R2elk]

I'm so glad you're replying! Can you tell me where you see it? The only thing is, the last picture is of her right foot, and it's the left one that is swollen.

The large bump in the middle of the bottom of the foot.

 

[Trampmom]

The large bump in the middle of the bottom of the foot.

Ok- now I see that it's shaped differently. I was looking for a black spot.
I guess I will try to get her the vet appointment. I really appreciate your input. It gives me more information to go on.

 

[R2elk]

Check the leg she is limping on at the hock for swelling and signs of perosis. The limp can also be caused by a hip injury.

 

[Trampmom]

It looked ok to me.

I've got a vet appointment on March 17, but they said if she gets any worse, they'll take her sooner as an emergency patient.

She's eating, drinking, pooping, and hobbling around, so I think she's ok for now.

Thanks again for your input. I'll try to remember to post what I find out.

 

[Trampmom]

Just returned from the poultry vet. The swelling and heat in her leg and foot has improved significantly since I previously posted, but she is still limping.

The vet said there were no signs of bumblefoot or infection, and we both thought it may have gotten injured from jumping down from the stool she used to sleep on (which I removed from the barn as soon as she started limping).

The vet suggested I re-start doing the Epsom salt soaks once a day. That will be much easier now that it's getting warmer!

It was definitely worth the money, and the 45 minute drive, to find out I don't have to be so worried about her, that she seems to be in great health, and she's not overweight.

One interesting thing... the vet told me she is a male because she has a beard. I said "well, she lays eggs"! So then the vet said that was very interesting, and that she must have xxy chromosome, and she had seen it in cats, but never a turkey.

Maybe that explains why she is so moody. She can literally be trying to bite you one minute, and then try to climb on your lap for cuddles the very next minute. It happens frequently!