Blaze
Blaze
Species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Arrival Date: November 10, 2019
Stranding Location: Vero Beach, FL
Initial Weight: 144.29 lbs.
Current Weight: 144.29 lbs.
Issue: Unintentional boat strike
Blaze is a subadult green sea turtle patient that was found floating in the Indian River Lagoon in Vero Beach. The turtle has sustained old, unintentional boat strike injuries to its caudal carapace. Radiographs revealed a large amount of gas and feces in the intestines. Blaze will receive fluids and antibiotics and will be monitored closely as the buoyancy disorder is treated. This turtle was originally captured, tagged, and released by biologists from the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group on July 9th, 2019 in the Indian River Lagoon as part of an ongoing project.
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:
12/12/2019 -Blaze had been getting worse the last few days, so the decision was made to euthanize the turtle. Necropsy revealed that almost half of the GI tract had no innervation due to the trauma to the spinal cord. It was clear that no treatment was going to help the turtle.
12/05/2019 - Blaze has not improved. We performed a colonoscopy but were not able to get to any obstruction.
11/27/2019 - Blaze is receiving new medication to stimulate defecation.
11/21/2019 -Blaze is eating, but has been unable to defecate so far. There may be an obstruction, possibly with plastic, that we are dealing with.
11/14/2019 - New Patient