Bovenizer

IMG_3910

Bovenizer

Species: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Arrival Date
: April 14, 2019
Stranding Location: Jensen Beach, FL

Initial Weight
: 214.94 lbs.
Current Weight: 234.5 lbs.

Issue: Endarteritis / Underweight

Bovenizer is an adult male loggerhead patient that was found in the intake canal of FPL's St. Lucie site. Because the turtle was underweight and had a very soft plastron (could see the heart beating through it), the turtle was brought to the Sea Turtle Hospital at Loggerhead Marinelife Center for diagnosis and treatment. Initial blood work and radiographs revealed little, but ultrasound of the heart and major vessels suggested the presence of endarteritis, an inflammation of the major vessels, probably caused by parasites in the blood known as spirorchiids. Additional testing is being done to confirm the diagnosis, and treatment will be started soon. This is a condition that is generally diagnosed post-mortem (after death).

This turtle turned out to have blood flukes (parasites) that were causing problems in the aorta and other major blood vessels. As far as we know, this is the first time this condition (called endarteritis) has been diagnosed in a live turtle (usually found only during necropsies). The turtle was treated for the parasites and the lesions in the blood vessels have resolved.

 

PROGRESS KEY:

Sea_turtle_icon(green) This turtle is progressing well and responding to therapy as desired.

Sea_turtle_icon(yellow)There is a minor issue that we are working to resolve.

Sea_turtle_icon(red)More details to follow.

PROGRESS NOTES:

06/19/19 - Released!

06/13/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer has been cleared for release next week.

06/06/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer\'s lesions in his aorta have improved greatly, so we have tagged the turtle for eventual release.

05/30/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer received his final parasite treatment this week and will continue being monitored.

05/23/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer is doing well with parasite treatment, but his white count rose slightly, so his antibiotic treatment has been modified.

05/16/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer has begun treatment for internal parasites.

05/09/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer's white count went up slightly, so antibiotics were started. An ultrasound exam revealed vascular disease in the aorta caused by spirorchiid parasites.

05/05/2019 -Sea_turtle_icon(green)Bovenizer is now gaining weight very well.

04/25/2019 - Sea_turtle_icon(green) Bovenizer has begun to eat well and gain weight. We are looking into a contrast CT scan, but the turtle is too large for most scanners. Turtle is doing well in the meantime.

04/14/2019 -  New patient