View Full Version : I have a hurt turkey, :(
The saddest thing I've ever seen. It hurts to even tell about.
My brother-in-law brought us over (without asking) a feed store turkey that was bought with baby chicks (baby chickens) and now three or four months old. Long story, short..we end up with this lovely turkey, super friendly, sweet medium sized guy. We named him George, after the "wonderful brother-in-law", and kept him in our outdoor aviary so's the wild turkeys could get to know him, before we cut him loose in the yard.
My heart hurts while telling this story. We fed the wild turkeys around George's cage to acclimate them to each other. At first, things were kind of aggressive through the bars of the cage but mellowed out over time. They became sort of a flock.
The day we cut George loose, he instantly followed my husband onto the deck to preen himself, peck at moles on our legs and while hubs and self were reclining in the swinging chairs, he laid between us and took a nap :(. This is not what I expected of a turkey!
This same morning, I left the deck to go for a shower and when I came back to the scene...my daughter's big dachshund dog had attacked poor George. The meat on his right leg/thigh is torn off, his wing lost a lot of feathers and he is in terrible shape :(. I put him back in the aviary. It's now been three days and I'm thinking he needs to be put down. I've been giving him some of Amigo's meds (ant-inflammatory) and also been putting some amoxicillin capsules in his water, he still likes to eat and drink. I know he could use a vets input but heck, just don't have the extra funds :(
His leg is VERY swollen and looks like it is dying, at this point, but he is more alert and alive looking than he has been since this happened. My hubs says he will do the poor buddy in, if need be,,I was thinking two days ago would have been the time but George is actually looking better.
He's eating some watermelon here.
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poor little guy:( hope he gets better
Thanks, koa. I'll try and get a pic of his leg in the morning,,it's pretty bad, down to the bone :(
That's horrible, Mare :(. Please, if you can, give him a chance to live. He can't help being a bird of less importance than a parrot. I am not a proponent of putting animals down unless they are in absolute unrecoverable agony. And you said yourself that he is perking up. Please try and figure out how you can get him some proper medical care. And please keep your predator animals entirely away from him. I'm so sorry to read this :(
It's bad, Tony. He's super hot to the touch, while giving him the Metacam, orally, he feels very fevered. I just can't believe he is still alive :(. Tomorrow is Saturday and there is no way we could afford emergency prices for this turkey, but I will call anyways and see what they say. Amigo's vet would be totally out of the question.
Sorry folks, just had to vent :(
You are right Tony, keeping predatory animals away from birds that think they aren't wild, is so important. This poor turkey, who looks like our wild turkeys, has no clue that it isn't part of OUR flock,,,dogs and all, poor buddy..
It's bad, Tony. He's super hot to the touch, while giving him the Metacam, orally, he feels very fevered. I just can't believe he is still alive :(. Tomorrow is Saturday and there is no way we could afford emergency prices for this turkey, but I will call anyways and see what they say. Amigo's vet would be totally out of the question.
Sorry folks, just had to vent :(Well if he's more alert and alive looking and he's eating and drinking, he may not be as bad off as you think. He wouldn't be showing those signs of improvement if he weren't feeling better. I think he needs a chance. It wasn't his fault that the dog attacked him, and now he has no one but you to depend upon. Please do whatever you can, Mare.
94lt1
05-31-2014, 05:13 AM
Turkeys are a hardier bird obviously.. But unfortunately... Dog and cat scratches and bites typically are fatal, severe ones anyway... I wish you luck.. Make George comfortable...
Sending good thoughts your way.
This is the weirdest part of the story..he's looking more alive in his face and eyes, but..his leg is turning off color, peeling skin, not moving much, looks horrendous (get pic in morn) and he is seemingly..looking better!? We are doing what we can. My daughter thinks we need to bring him into the house,,umm..no. I love birds but draw the line there.
jessicas94lt1
05-31-2014, 05:23 AM
:-( sorry to hear this. Hope he gets better.
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_inspir3_m3_
05-31-2014, 06:32 AM
Hi there my grandfather use to be a medic in the army and i just asked him what would be the best thing to do, he said to clean the wound, pluck the feathers around it and if you can get some steri strips to help close the wound up.
Hope the poor guy gets better.
2birds
05-31-2014, 06:45 AM
Sorry to hear about George Mare. You can get attached to them just like anything else. There is a tame wild turkey named Hilda at the farm where I keep the horses and I really like her. I hope George starts feeling better.
kendrafitz
05-31-2014, 12:52 PM
I'm so sorry about George Mare! Poor little guy. Did he do ok last night?
Thanks, Chloe, his wound isn't a cut, it's a whole chunk of flesh that is gone. We cleaned it, best we could, and sprayed blu-kote (a wound dressing) on it.
Well, he's still alive and peepin'. I just went out and checked on him. Although he's setting down, I'm amazed at how alert he is. These birds are pretty darn tough. Tim and I are going out soon to see what's going on with the wound.
It's so good that George is hanging in there, Mare. Maybe he'll continue to surprise you. Many tales exist of seriously injured animals pulling through in a big way. Maybe George's will be another. After Maynard's stroke in 2011, I was sure he wouldn't make it. He couldn't stand, walk, eat, climb, or perch. But he pressed on and he's still with me today... he's able to do all of those things again! The only thing he can no longer do is fly. So please don't give up hope on George!
Don't worry, we aren't giving up hope, there will always be hope. I'm truly amazed he is still alive. Here is a pic of what his leg is looking like this morning, he's not setting it on the ground, the wound is not in the pic, it's high up on his leg.I think his leg is dead, it's looking atrophied. We cleaned and dressed the wound and am continuing with the Metacam and amoxicillin in his water. Come Monday, I'll take him in to the vet.
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Wow! his leg does look bad off, Mare :(. There could be nerve and/or vascular damage, in addition to a serious infection. Please keep us posted about what the vet says. That poor bird :'(
I'll let you know, for sure, what the vet says. I feel terrible that I didn't take him in sooner, just thought he was a goner from the start. We can't afford a huge vet bill, at the moment, so if it comes down to it, I'll have him put down :(
94lt1
06-02-2014, 01:39 AM
How's George?
George is still alive and unbelievably still,,,eating, drinking and has learned to get around on one leg while the other is a withered leg that is now looking like a twig. My husband thinks that if I take him to the vet, instant death. He wants to give George a few more days to see how he continues. Holy Moly! This is a truly bizarre experience. George's color is back in his skin around his head, he's responsive to the wild turkeys..I'm guessing there is no infection because he is doing so much better. He does peck around his wound which I think is good so,,we are going to give him a few more days.
Hi Mare. I agree that most vets would recommend putting George down :(. You could of course insist that they not do that. If George's leg resembles "a twig", as you've described it, I'm taking that to mean it no longer appears swollen? How is the site of the flesh wound itself looking now?
94lt1
06-02-2014, 06:12 PM
Idk.. I think you might be allowing the infection to further spread... Just my opinion...
Today, George seems to be stronger still. His leg is definitely dead and looks like it is just going to break off, brittle, shriveled, like mummified. His wound is hard to decipher, it is covered with feathers and blu-kote dressing. I have a vet coming out to float a horses teeth, in two days. I will ask him to check out George at that time. If the infection was spreading, Brandon, I don't know how he could be getting stronger..? His appetite is good and he drinks his amoxicillin laced water twice a day, so far so good.
A few years back, we had a friend whose cat got three inches of the end of his tail ripped off by a dog. There was just this ugly bone showing and was never taken to the vet. A few months later, our friend clipped the bone off, the cat never even knew it! I'm not saying we think this is how George will end up but just saying, you never know! What a bunch of Hillbillies, huh?! :th_biggrin: (meaning us!)
Don't worry, if I thought, especially with an infection, George was getting worse, I would take him in.
94lt1
06-03-2014, 01:36 AM
I hope so :)(the infection isn't spreading) I'm just going off of experience with weaker and less hardy birds.. I hope I'm wrong..
Yes it would seem that if the bacteria was spreading, George would be dead by now...
So I hope you're right.. :)
Turkeys are a much more resilient bird, than say Keet or conure.
I just came in from raking out George's pen (he sure poops a lot!) and gave him his medicine. Tim helped me get a good look at his leg. I picked up his wing and the wound is easy to see today. It looks like he has cleared the feathers out from around it. There is no swelling or pussing, the area is dry and dried out looking. Tim sprayed some more blu-kote on it and well, just don't know what to think? He eats real well and is pretty active for having just one working leg. We'll see what the vet has to say.
kendrafitz
06-04-2014, 12:28 AM
Keeping my fingers crossed and sending lots of good thoughts to George.
Gee Mare... your description makes me wonder what's actually happened to George's leg. The discoloration combined with the atrophy is pretty scary. But as long as there's no appreciable swelling and oozing, and if his behavior seems relatively normal for a large bird who can only use one leg, I'd say that he may stand a good chance of living life as a happy one-legged turkey. You'll need to find out if his apparently lifeless leg may end up causing him some serious complications in the future, though. And this is assuming there isn't some sort of a lingering infection present. I sure wish George the best of luck! And I hope the same for you! Please keep filling us in.
I'm thinking that the leg needs to be removed, for sure. His body is definitely rejecting it but if it's not surgically removed, I can only foresee complications. I think he will adapt well with one leg but the sick one needs to be removed. I'm working on a solution here, keeping George's welfare in the forefront.
I'm thinking that the leg needs to be removed, for sure. His body is definitely rejecting it but if it's not surgically removed, I can only foresee complications. I think he will adapt well with one leg but the sick one needs to be removed. I'm working on a solution here, keeping George's welfare in the forefront.Well, whatever happens, I'm very much hoping the poor guy will be able to live a somewhat pleasant life. Keep up the updates!
The vet pushed our appt. with the horses, to Fri. George is still doing about the same, no better, no worse. My brother-in-law calls this morning and says the original owner will take George back if we want. I know it would be a death sentence so, I'm not quite ready to give up on him.
So your livestock vet has agreed to assess George's condition?
kendrafitz
06-05-2014, 12:43 AM
I will keep my fingers for the visit!
So your livestock vet has agreed to assess George's condition?
I've asked around to different vet offices and have no hope. Damn! I know, for a fact, my son who is applying to med school, would take in a helpless case..if for no other reason, compassion. Frick..
No, Tony, he is in for a surprise with this one :)
I see :(
No, Tony, he is in for a surprise with this one :)Well, that may be the best way to handle it.
Update on George,,the vet had two unforeseen emergencies yesterday and didn't make it, we are shooting for Wednesday. I spoke with him about George and he says he'll definitely take a look at him but is not sure if there will be anything he can do for him. I told him what we were doing for George and he thought that sounded good. If he recommends we put him down, we will.
On a high note, George is much more vocal today. He's sounding less like a baby peep-peep bird and making more of the normal turkey sounds. He acknowledges me when I get near and seems happy to see me.
His leg is drying up to the point that the brittle skin layer is opening up to the bone, it's all dead. I know this is gross and some may think we should put him down but when his vital signs are looking positive..that is hard to do. I've heard of wild animals loosing limbs and surviving. I've seen one legged wild ravens. We'll do what the vet recommends.
kendrafitz
06-07-2014, 08:42 PM
I'm happy to hear that George is doing well. I agree with you, if he is fine except for the leg, why would you not give him a chance???
I'm happy to hear that George is doing well. I agree with you, if he is fine except for the leg, why would you not give him a chance???The reason most people would not give George a chance is because most vets will recommend euthanizing fowl birds that are in George's condition. And they tend to do so simply based upon the "it's a common bird, not a person" rationalization :(. Lets face the facts... it's usually the easiest choice for a vet to make. He/she gets paid for the service of putting down the animal and he/she doesn't have to be concerned with further healing strategies, or further diagnostic efforts, or with any prosthesis that may be called for. It's kind of a routine thing to expect that recommendation for a bird like a turkey with a dead leg. Now, personally, I don't agree with this solution in many cases. I've encountered quite a few vets who are too quick to put injured animals to sleep. So there you have my 2 cents :(
I would like to follow my heart on this one, Tony, I'll know. If the vet tells me that the infection is traveling and he will slowly die because of this, should I stop trying to hope for him? I don't want to see George suffer with getting worse and won't let that happen, promise. As long as I see him gaining ground though, I'll try and keep him going.
Okay Mare. I know that you care.
My thought is, if an incurable infection turns out not to exist, it would seem that the only question should be: Why can't a wild turkey continue living the rest of his life with just one leg?
Exactly!! Now,,how do we get the leg to fall off/go away? I will speak to the vet about this. In one way I feel terrible for not being able to spend the money to do this with George, where if it were Amigo, Sassy or Chip we would make it work, somehow. George isn't a lesser life. Fricken brother-in-law, that's all I can say :(
Exactly!! Now,,how do we get the leg to fall off/go away? I will speak to the vet about this. In one way I feel terrible for not being able to spend the money to do this with George, where if it were Amigo, Sassy or Chip we would make it work, somehow. George isn't a lesser life. Fricken brother-in-law, that's all I can say :(:(
Macaw Lover
06-08-2014, 01:53 PM
Not likely the leg will just fall off, bones are connected so they don't 'just' do that sort of thing. At the point where healthy tissue meets the dead, that dead part will start to cause the healthy tissue to die off further, that is just how the body will work so having the leg removed sooner might still save the bird's life.
94lt1
06-08-2014, 05:49 PM
Just a thought.. Definitely ask the vet first.. But something like a castration rubber band.. It works on bobing dog tails... Though I've never done it.. It might work..
If it was plausible.. The trick would be finding a way to keep George from going after the area and rubber band..
I know his leg won't JUST fall off, that was wishful thinking. I need to find a vet that will amputate. I'm feeling down about the whole thing. I like the rubber band idea, Brandon. I'll ask the vet coming on Wednesday what his thoughts are on this.
George is still here and has a good attitude about life. He has a very good appetite. I've discovered that he loves watermelon, cantaloupe and arugula! I keep his pen raked and free of ants. I will be afraid for him if the meat bees discover him,,they usually don't show up till later in summer, thankfully. I'll let you know what the vet says, he's going to make it on Wed., hopefully.
kendrafitz
06-10-2014, 11:55 AM
Sending you all lots of good thoughts!!!!
WHOO HOOO!! I'm so excited for our precious George! I just had someone call me with the name of a place called Critter Creek, real close to where we live. This dear man, Dennis, will meet me in the morning with George and drive him to the vets who take in wild animals, they will either remove George's leg or put him down, they will do what they think will be best for him. After the vet takes care of the animal it will be returned to Dennis for rehabilitation. I told him I would gladly take George back and keep him safe and penned. He thought that would work, too :). This is all at NO charge!!
I'm so happy to finally have George looked at by a vet, regardless of his outcome. I'm going to think positive that something can be done for him! I'm so relieved :)
kendrafitz
06-10-2014, 09:22 PM
YAYYYY! Sending positive vibes for George.
Wow! That's really encouraging news, Mare :D. I hope the very best for George!!!
Thanks, Tony! I have high hopes for George. Dennis is going to be sure the vets know that George has a forever home, if he makes it. They normally take in wild animals that can be rehabilitated to be set back in the wild. A one legged turkey could never survive in the wild, Dennis wants them not to just put him down for that reason.
94lt1
06-11-2014, 12:09 AM
I hope George gets good news.. :)
Thanks, Brandon! I did the drop off this morning and he should be at the vet's office by now. Dennis says we'll get word in a couple of days. I get back from handing over George, to find that my daughter had just set off for the vet's office in town :(. Her dachshund, the one that destroyed George's leg, got bit by a rattlesnake, on the nose! 15-1600 dollars for an anti-venom shot! She also has a vet coming here, today, to do some work on her horses teeth! This is going to be one expensive day for my daughter :(. She's trying to save up money for travel, it may take her longer than she had hoped at this rate!
kendrafitz
06-11-2014, 06:59 PM
I'm going to be on pins and needles until you get the news on George.
OMG! That is crazy! Is the dog ok? Your poor daughter! It stinks when unexpected bills keep piling on.
My daughter passed on the anti-venom. If I could get my "challenged" photo bucket to work, I would post some pics. It looks like a baby rattlesnake bite, which doesn't always mean less venom but the bite marks are close together. We've had many rattlesnake bites to animals around here, over the years. One horse got bit three times over three years, one dog got bit 3times over one year. They normally survive, normally. Never have had a human hit, though,,,knock on wood :)
kendrafitz
06-11-2014, 10:56 PM
Wow! I think I would drop dead if I saw a rattlesnake. I can't imagine having them so close to the house. We really don't have many snakes near my house. I don't go wandering into the woods though.
We had a baby, about one foot long, in the driveway of the garage two days ago. I scooped it up with a shovel, put it in an ice chest and dumped it a ways up the road. That's the second one we've seen this year, my husband found one in the yard, two weeks ago, a three footer, caught him and moved him down the road. I think the drought may be bringing them closer to the house.
kendrafitz
06-12-2014, 01:11 AM
I think I would have died!! Do they scare you, or are they just part of life there? I only know them from movies. I feel badly for them with the drought though. But I feel worse for JoJo!!
Heck, YEAH! They about stop my heart when I see one! I haven't seen one in the yard in about four years, though. We keep our gardens and yard well watered, I think maybe the toads that also love the wetness, bring in the snakes that love toads :( !
JoJo is getting more swollen by the minute but I think she's going to make it. When an animal gets bit, the fluid sinks to the lower points. This is where the venom causes the most damage, as far as sloughing tissue.
kendrafitz
06-12-2014, 03:48 PM
Ugh! I have never seen the sloughing you are referring to. That sounds rough!
How is JoJo today?
I made the call to Dennis this morning and got the news I was afraid was coming. The vet put George down. I was ok with this. He was a very sweet bird with a good soul and I will always remember him as a friend. He was always happy to see company come to his cage, he would come hopping over anxiously awaiting something special like cantaloupe melon or arugula lettuce and had his special sounds, I swear, he could talk, he could communicate. I suppose you could say, "he could talk turkey!" Rest in Peace, my dear friend,,I love you George..
kendrafitz
06-17-2014, 10:46 AM
I'm so sorry to read about George. He sounded like such a sweet little guy.
Macaw Lover
06-17-2014, 01:48 PM
I am so sorry to hear this.
2birds
06-17-2014, 02:05 PM
Awe, I'm sorry for George. He was being such a trooper. At least he is not suffering now. You did what you could with what you have and that's all anyone can ask for.
I made the call to Dennis this morning and got the news I was afraid was coming. The vet put George down. I was ok with this. He was a very sweet bird with a good soul and I will always remember him as a friend. He was always happy to see company come to his cage, he would come hopping over anxiously awaiting something special like cantaloupe melon or arugula lettuce and had his special sounds, I swear, he could talk, he could communicate. I suppose you could say, "he could talk turkey!" Rest in Peace, my dear friend,,I love you George..That's such sad news :'( ..I'm so sorry :(
94lt1
06-18-2014, 03:39 AM
Sorry to hear this.. Sorry for your loss..
Thank you for the condolences, I do appreciate them..
I cut my brother-in-laws hair today,,he is the person who gave us George. He came over to the house and asked how George was doing, I told him and he then apologized for dropping George in our laps and was sorry about the events that followed. We discussed how many animals our combined families have had over years. How many beloved ones we've lost. It was rather therapeutic, in an odd way.
jessicas94lt1
06-20-2014, 02:31 AM
😥sorry for your loss
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