Binx

Species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: October 4, 2022
Stranding Location: Port St. Lucie, FL

Admission Weight: 20.24 lbs.
Current Weight: 18.8 lbs.

Initial Condition: Floating, healed boat strike

Binx is a juvenile green sea turtle patient found floating in Port St. Lucie. Exam revealed rear limb paralysis due to a previous (now healed) probable boat strike injury. Radiographs indicated a large amount of ascites (free fluid in coelom/body cavity) and a possible bloackage present in intestinal tract, leading to gas in the gut causing a positive bouyancy disorder. Currently, CM 173 has a weight on the caudal carapace to counterbalance the floating and is being treated medically to address the lack of motility in the intestines and hopefully relieve the obstruction.

Binx was named by the students of Binks Forest Elementary School in Wellington, Florida. These students won first place in our 2021 Unwrap the Waves competition by collecting more than 31,000 candy wrappers to be fully recycled!

PROGRESS KEY:

Good Condition
Fair Condition
Poor Condition

Patient requires continued treatment but is progressing well.

Minor adjustments have been made to the patient's treatment.

Patient is off all medications.

PROGRESS NOTES:

Final Update 12/28/2022 - Binx became very lethargic and was not consistently eating the last two weeks. Elected humane euthanasia was performed due to permanent, untreatable medical problems that were leading to a poor quality of life.

12/12/2022 - Radiographs indicate gas within the GI tract due ileus (lack of the normal muscle contractions of the intestines). Binx is on medicine to try to encourage better motility in the GI tract but may have permanent motility deficits due to irreparable spinal cord damage.

12/5/2022 -

11/28/2022 -

11/18/2022 -

11/4/2022 -

10/28/2022 - Binx has been moved to a larger tank.

10/21/2022 - Current radiographs indicated the impaction has passed and there is a greatly reduced amount of gas in GI tract. Multiple sores on the neck and carapace are healing. Currently, Binx has a weight on the caudal carapace to counterbalance the floating.

10/11/2022 - New patient.