Help! Injured turkey wattle

[Terra87]

Hi,

I just checked on my turkey (2.5 years) and he is bleeding pretty badly from the lower part of his wattle. I'm not sure what happened to him, he will still come to me but not sure how to help or if this is something where his suffering should be stopped. Please help, I don't have a vet close.

 

[CombNWattles]

Hello, Terra87.

I’m sorry your turkey is injured. I’ve never owned turkeys, but I’ve dealt with comb and wattle injuries on chickens. These types of injuries bleed a lot and can look worse than they are. The key is to clean the area and locate the source of the bleeding.

1. Press a paper towel on the base of the wattle, where you think the bleeding is coming from. Try to dry the area. Maintaining pressure will slow the bleeding. Applying cornstarch can also help.

2. When you’ve slowed the bleeding, try to locate the wound. Chances are it’s fairly small. Apply neosporin, veterycin spray, or some other disinfectant.

3. If possible, apply gauze to the wound and bandage with vet wrap.

 

[CombNWattles]

I’m sitting around on the couch because I have a cold, so I’m on standby if you need more help.

 

[CombNWattles]

Two more things-

-He looks pretty alert; if he had already lost a dangerous amount of blood he would be lethargic.

-once he’s stabilized, encourage him to drink water, and consider giving him some electrolytes if he seems droopy. Gatorade can be used if you don’t have the little packets.

 

[Terra87]

Hello, Terra87.

I’m sorry your turkey is injured. I’ve never owned turkeys, but I’ve dealt with comb and wattle injuries on chickens. These types of injuries bleed a lot and can look worse than they are. The key is to clean the area and locate the source of the bleeding.

1. Press a paper towel on the base of the wattle, where you think the bleeding is coming from. Try to dry the area. Maintaining pressure will slow the bleeding. Applying cornstarch can also help.

2. When you’ve slowed the bleeding, try to locate the wound. Chances are it’s fairly small. Apply neosporin, veterycin spray, or some other disinfectant.

3. If possible, apply gauze to the wound and bandage with vet wrap.

Thank you!! I was able to pat at the area and the bleeding has stopped and I put some neosporin on it.
He is my little buddy (he bonded with me very early on), we only bought chicks from TSC a couple years ago and to our surprise a turkey was in the mix!

 

[CombNWattles]

Thank you!! I was able to pat at the area and the bleeding has stopped and I put some neosporin on it.
He is my little buddy (he bonded with me very early on), we only bought chicks from TSC a couple years ago and to our surprise a turkey was in the mix!

Good job stopping the bleeding and disinfecting. I’m glad he’s doing better! He’s a handsome man. Boy would I love to get a surprise turkey