HELP PLEASE!! My turkey has both legs behind him

A

Anonymous

Guest
My daughter brought home 2 baby turkeys, who were only a couple days old. They were raised as the wee angels they were, they were given the best of everything, and very spoiled, the only time they were taken outside was for recreation. Unfortunately we lost the farm, and were forced to live in an city area 120 miles away. I had found what I believed to be accommodations suited to them, the man was a Doctor who had a hen and tom from the same lot as ours. We were unable to visit them for several months and when we did we were in HORROR. We were told that my daughter's beloved hen Haro had died, when we inquired as to what happened we were told that she had gotten a cold and was to be taken to the vet but he didn't know anything except she died (he has a ranch hand who tends the animals during the week, he is a "rich" weekend farmer) We were also told his tom had died also. Again no cause the ranch hand just found him dead?

When we left Haro and Lochon they were much bigger then his hen and tom and far more beautiful. They were healthy, had full feathers, now Haro was dead and Lochon was near death. I ask what was wrong with him? Did the vet look at him? What was the plan for his care? I was told that NOTHING had or would be done, he said it's just a bird, not important like his sheep, and veterinarian care was a waste for a bird. (Trust me he is filthy rich, this ranch was custom built just for weekend living, so his kids got the non city environment) This was NOT his attitude when I gave him our babies!! I was and still am consumed with guilt. I loaded him in the wheel barrel and into my car. I would somehow make accommodations for him. We were horrified and sobbing during the 3 hours it took to get home. :( I swore I would make it right by our darling Lochon

He wasn't walking, his wings were destroyed by beating them on concrete, in an attempt to move himself to get the human leftovers that were being fed to him. I had worried because there was a large abscess which engulfed his entire back toe. We set him up in a dog house, full of hay and pillows, in one of the dog runs and immediately began to rehabilitate him. We started him on antibiotics and made available fresh water and proper food, he was starving due to his inability to get water and proper food. I honestly didn't think he would make it through the night, he stayed in the warm house, surrounded by his beloved friends the dogs and cats. Warm, safe, loved and cuddled in my daughters arms he ate from her hand and by morning looked like a whole different turkey. The rock hard calluses and the abscess I believed were the problem, we soaked his foot in the hopes of draining the abscess, and trying to figure out if the calluses on his feet were bumble foot. We attempted the procedure for Bumble foot but the calluses were just so thick.

Initially he stretched his hurt leg behind him, which I wrapped and made sure it was exercised, he received physical therapy daily as we soaked the foot daily, it isn't till now that the calluses are beginning to flake off. But now both legs are out behind him, he will not or cannot walk, but he does move both legs. He has lost allot of weight, so I have placed him on a higher protein food. He seems quite happy, and in good spirits, he doesn't seem to be in any pain. I change his pad often, to prevent him being in his own fecal matter. Yes, I have though it might be best to end his life, he doesn't seem to be in any pain, and if he can be healed or cured I will do what is needed. He is a loving, playful, happy guy, how he loves the daily playtime with myself and the dogs he grew up with, they cuddle together and he coos with such excitement. I don't have money to afford a massive treatment, I'm capable of doing allot of things others find squeamish. His constant state of being on his breast bone has caused sores which I treat, I wash his bedding daily, but still he does sit in poop, which is NOT good. I'm trying to work out a way to elevate him so he doesn't poop on himself. His wings I fear will never recover from the beating on the ground and side of his dog house. I just don't know what's wrong or how to fix it, PLEASE I beg for any help, advice,treatment ideals. Please help!!!!!!
 

Davidd

New member
Messages
1,137
Location
Nr Downham Market, Norfolk
Hello, sorry to say but if he can't walk, has sores and can't lead a normal life or have a good quality of life, in my opinion, i think it would be better to have him put to sleep. It's a very hard decision but you need to think of the bird and not your emotions- turkeys are meant to be out , free ranging, flying around and doing what turkeys do - not being able to even stand is just not fair on him. Sorry i can't offer you any advice you would like to hear.
regards, David :)
 

Anne W

New member
Messages
305
Any further news? Just seen the post - sounds as if he is malnourished and too weak to stand. If you haven't had him put to sleep perhaps feed him up - but I guess it depends how bad he is in which case he can't suffer.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
My sweet Lochon died, I'mtoo i just cant talk about it yet I will when I can thanks to all of you who cared
 

Tim

Administrator
Messages
2,127
Location
Herefordshire, UK.
Hi Phantom.

I have read your post and it makes me feel so sad and very angry that he got into that state in the first place. No animal deserves that.

I am very sorry to hear he died - it must be so hard for you to have seen him in this state and also to have had him die with you without being able to help him.

If a bird gets weak or stressed, they can pick up any illness that's passing at the time. Sometimes, there is something we can do about it but often there is not and eventually they pass away or there comes a point where it is kinder to put them to sleep. It sounds from your description that there is little that could have been done other than give him the care you gave him, feeding him correctly and keeping him clean.

I am sorry it ended this way.

Tim.
 
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