Diagnosis and treatment of hypophosphatemia in young Turkeys

This study was aimed to diagnose and to treat the disease of young turkeys showing hypophosphatemia symptoms in a farm. The material of this study was consisted of turkeys in both genders, aged between 13-15 weeks. In the clinical examinations of the turkeys; weight loss, weakness, unwilling to walk, lameness and extremity fractures in some animals were determined. Blood samples were collected from 20 turkeys chosen randomly for biochemical analyses and mineral assays. Serum Ca, P, ALP, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Co levels were analyzed. Phosphorus and Zn levels were found to decrease significantly whereas Ca, ALP, Mn levels and Ca/P ratio found to increase before treatment. For treatment purpose, phosphoric acid and vitamin D3 were added to their drinking water. Clinical findings improved after treatment and biochemical parameters which was abnormal before treatment returned to normal values after treatment. As a result, hypophosphatemia was one of the most important reasons of foot problems and bone fractures during the growth period of the turkeys. It was also observed that adding phosphorus and vitamin D in the drinking water for the purpose of treatment was considered to be beneficial.