Ballard
Ballard
Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)
Arrival Date: August 2, 2019
Stranding Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Initial Weight: 60.94 lbs.
Current Weight: 90.3 lbs.
Issue: Chronic Debilitation
Ballard is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle patient that was found at FPL's St. Lucie site. The patient's bloodwork on arrival indicates anemia and hypoglycemia. Ballard is underweight and in poor health overall due to chronic debilitation. The turtle was put into freshwater to remove the barnacles, leeches, and other epibiota that covered its body. Ballard is receiving fluids, antibiotics, and parenteral nutrition. Hospital staff will closely monitor the turtle with routine bloodwork as it's being treated.
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:
02/27/2020 - Ballard was released on February 25 from Loggerhead Park.
02/20/2020 - Ballard’s blood values are now all within normal range.
02/13/2020 - Ballard's medication has all been discontinued.
02/06/2020 - Ballard's white cell count is staying normal. Will likely discontinue medication next week.
01/30/2020 -Ballard's white cell count is back down to normal and the packed cell volume is 33%.
01/23/2020 - Ballard's white cell count went up when the antibiotics were discontinued, we restarted the antibiotics.
01/16/2020 -Ballard's packed cell volume is finally back to normal. The turtle will be taken off all medication this weekend.
01/09/2020 -Ballard's packed cell volume did not improve this week, so the turtle was started on iron injections.
01/02/2020 -Ballard's packed cell volume is not improving, so the turtle was started on iron injections.
12/26/2019 -Ballard’s white cell count is remaining normal off medication.
12/19/2019 -Ballard's treatment has been discontinued.
12/12/2019 - Ballard's treatment has been reduced and will likely be discontinued next week.
12/05/2019 -Ballard's white cell count is remaining normal and may be taken off medications next week.
11/27/2019 -Ballard's white cell count is back down to normal.
11/21/2019 - Ballard's white cell count went up slightly and has been put back on antibiotics.
11/14/2019 - Ballard's white cell count is remaining normal.
11/07/2019 - Ballard's white cell count is still normal and the packed cell volume is up to 28% (target is 30%)
10/31/2019 -Ballard has been taken off all medication.
10/24/2019 -Ballard has been tagged for eventual release.
10/17/2019 - Ballard will be tagged in the next few days for eventual release.
10/10/2019 - Ballard received treatment for second type of parasites this week.
10/03/2019 -Ballard's anemia is resolving more quickly.
09/26/2019 -Ballard has been reduced on antibiotics and has now begun treatment for parasites.
09/12/2019 - Ballard’s bone marrow is now responding well and the anemia is resolving.
08/23/2019 - Ballard will be ending parenteral nutrition this week.
08/15/2019 -Ballard is doing well on parenteral nutrition and is beginning to eat well and recover.
08/08/2019 - New Patient