Admiral

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Arrival Date: November 21, 2018
Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA

Initial Weight: 7.83 lbs.
Current Weight: 8.40 lbs.

Issue: Cold stunned
Current Condition: Released

Admiral is a juvenile Kemp\'s ridley sea turtle that arrived cold-stunned from the Cape Cod area, along with 19 others. Sea turtles are cold-blooded and rely on the environment to control their body temperatures. The cold waters in Cape Cod Bay disturb the metabolism of the turtles, causing them to be cold-stunned and have trouble moving. These turtles are often found floating on the water\'s surface, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. This patient was flown down to LMC from the New England Aquarium for long-term treatment with the support of Turtles Fly Too. We are also grateful for Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries Service, and FWC for their parts in helping these cold-stunned sea turtles. The turtles are receiving antibiotics and fluids.

PROGRESS KEY:

This turtle is progressing well and responding to therapy as desired.

There is a minor issue that we are working to resolve.

More details to follow.

PROGRESS NOTES:

04/04/2019 - Admiral was released today from New Smyrna Beach!

03/27/2019 - Admiral has been cleared for release next week.

03/20/2019 - Admiral's white count remains normal.

03/13/2019 - Radiographs showed Admiral's lungs to be completely healed. All medications have been discontinued.

03/06/2019 - Admiral is doing very well generally.

02/27/2019 - Antibiotics have been reduced for Admiral.

02/20/2019 - White cell count is remaining normal.

02/13/2019 - White cell count is down to normal and nebulization has been discontinued.

02/06/2019 - White cell count has gone up, so new antibiotic has been added.

02/04/2019 - White cell count is remaining normal.

01/25/2019 - White cell count is now normal. Admiral was taken for a CT scan and still has some pneumonia present. Treatment will continue. Partners-In-Progress! Admiral was taken tp Jupiter Medical Center for the CT Scan! The high-resolution CT Scan showed multifocal pneumonia in both of Admiral's lungs. Admiral\'s infection is healing at a slow pace. We thank our partners at Jupiter Medical Center for these exceptional images which are helping us to optimize our treatment plan so we can save and release these beautiful sea turtles back into their ocean home.

01/17/2019 - Antibiotics were changed due to white cell count elevation.

01/10/2019 -

01/03/2018 - Due to white cell count going up, a new antibiotic was added.

12/26/2018 - Admiral's white blood cell count went up slightly, so a new antibiotic was added.

12/19/2018 - Admiral's white blood cell count is now going back down.

12/12/2018 - Admiral's white blood cell count was going up, so the antibiotics have been changed.

12/05/2018 - Admiral is being treated for pneumonia and doing fairly well.

11/21/2018 - Arrived