Bart

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

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

Initial Weight: 6.38 lbs.
Current Weight: 6.38 lbs.

Issue: Cold stunned
Current Condition: New patient

Bart 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:

02/04/2019 - Bart was released!

01/25/2019 - Bart has been cleared for release in the near future.

01/17/2019 - Bart has been taken off all medications.

01/10/2019 - White blood cell count continues to be normal. Will likely be taken off medications soon.

01/03/2018 - White blood cell count is normal for the first time.

12/26/2018 - Bart's white cell count is normal.

12/19/2018 - Bart's white blood cell count now appears stable. Nebulization has been discontinued.

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

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

11/21/2018 - Arrived - Radiographs revealed that Bart was developing pneumonia so the turtle is receiving antibiotics via nebulization every day.