This month we are highlighting Goldie, a patient who had a pretty remarkable transformation and unique health issue. Goldie is one of the cold-stressed green sea turtles brought in for care over the last month from northern Florida. In addition to her run-down state from being stationary too long due the cold, our team found that Goldie had a secondary parasitic infection.
Upon arrival, Goldie was lethargic and underweight, as well as covered in barnacles and algae.
All sea turtles that come into our care receive routine fecal examinations to check for a variety of parasites. After testing, Goldie and another juvenile green sea turtle names Scooter both presented with Caryospora- like organism infections.
Caryospora-like organisms (CLOs) are a coccidian protozoal (single-celled animal) parasite that may be found in young green sea turtles. It is known to cause harm to the intestines, and in advanced cases can lead to diarrhea, severe debilitation, and even death.
To treat coccidia, both patients were given 3 doses of an oral medication called ponazuril. Ponazuril is an anti-protozoal medication that is used in a variety of species. Since, Caryospora sheds intermittently from the GI tract, patients need 3 negative fecal samples before we can deem them CLO free.
In collaboration with Dr. Brian Stacey, a Veterinary Medical Officer for NOAA fisheries, all CLO cases in the state of Florida are being reported and collected for genetic characterization and archival purposes.
Goldie and Scooter are currently coccidia free! They just need to gain a little more weight but are expected to be released soon. Just have a look at Goldie’s “glow up” photos to see her remarkable transformation!
