Bruce

Species: Kemp’s ridley
(Lepidochelys kempii)

Arrival Date: February 26, 2016
Stranding Location: St. Lucie, FL

Initial Weight: 51.40 lbs.
Current Weight: 55.0 lbs.

Issue: Injury/Impaction
Current Condition: Released

ADMISSION NOTE:

Bruce, an endangered sub-adult Kemps Ridley turtle, was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant intake canal. The turtle has many wounds on the carapace, plastron and all four flippers possibly from a shark. Bruce also has a high white cell count indicating a systemic infection. Radiographs were taken indicating an impaction within the intestines. We are treating the wounds with topical medications and speeding up the healing process with therapeutic laser therapy. Bruce is also receiving injectable antibiotics to treat the systemic infection. The wounds have greatly improved since arrival.

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:

10/26/2016 – Released October 25th.

10/20/2016 – Cleared for release. The release is tentatively scheduled for October 25^th on Juno Beach behind Loggerhead Park. Updates will be posted on our Facebook page

10/14/2016 –Bruce appears to be very near ready for release.

9/29/2016 –

9/22/2016 –

9/14/2016 –

9/07/2016 – Bruce was tagged on 9/06/2016.

9/01/2016 – Bruce’s bloodwork is all within normal range. All medications have been discontinued.

8/25/2016 –

8/17/2016 –

8/11/2016 –

8/07/2016 – Bruce’s blood values are in the normal range and have been stable over the last few weeks. The antibiotics have been decreased.

7/07/2016 – Bruce’s medication was changed due to an increase in white cell count. Since the medication change, the white cell count has decreased significantly.

6/08/2016 – Bruce’s white cell count had been elevated but is gradually decreasing with treatment. The flipper wounds are nearly healed.

5/20/2016 – Bruce’s wounds are almost completely healed. This turtle’s appetite has improved over the last few weeks.

4/28/2016 – Bruce’s wounds are healing very well. The bloodwork appears to be normal, but this turtle does not have a strong appetite.

4/2/2016 – Bruce, an endangered sub-adult Kemps Ridley turtle, was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant intake canal. The turtle has many wounds on the carapace, plastron and all four flippers possibly from a shark. Bruce also has a high white cell count indicating a systemic infection. Radiographs were taken indicating an impaction within the intestines. We are treating the wounds with topical medications and speeding up the healing process with therapeutic laser therapy. Bruce is also receiving injectable antibiotics to treat the systemic infection. The wounds have greatly improved since arrival.