Buoy

Species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: October 13, 2022
Stranding Location: Jupiter Inlet, FL

Admission Weight: 6.0 Kg., 13.2 lbs.
Current Weight: 12.7kg., 27.94 lbs.

Initial Condition: Floating, Entanglement, FP Tumors

This is a juvenile green sea turtle found floating and entangled in the Jupiter Inlet. This turtle arrived with a multitude of FP tumors covering the front and rear, growths on both eyes, and carapace covered in epibiota (algae and barnacles). Due to entanglement of fishing line, this turtle also arrived with a laceration on the right front flipper. Animal is in an ICU quarantine tank currently awaiting FP removal surgery.

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:

6/9/2023 - Buoy was successfully released on June 7th, 2023.

6/2/2023 - Cleared for release.

5/26/2023 -

5/19/2023 -

5/12/2023 - Treatment includes electrochemotherapy with bleomycin amd antibiotics.

5/5/2023 -

4/28/2023 -

4/21/2023 -

4/14/2023 - Buoy had a second round of electrochemotherapy at Brevard Zoo.

4/7/2023 - Scheduled next round of electrochemotherapy at Brevard Zoo in two weeks.

3/31/2023 -

3/24/2023 -

3/17/2023 -

3/10/2023 - Performed ocular tumor removal surgery while at the Brevard Zoo.

3/3/2023 - Currently coordinating with the Brevard Zoo.

2/24/2023 - Treatment with electrochemotherapy and bleomycin is being explored as the next option.

2/17/2023 -

2/10/2023 - Had surgery on Monday Jan 30. Buoy is tumor free except for the ocular tumors.

2/5/2023 -

1/24/2023 -

1/20/2023 -

1/13/2023 - Buoy had tumor removal surgery on Jan 4. Currently receiving antibiotics, pain medications, and 5-FU(chemotherapy drug) eye drops to prevent regrowth.

12/28/2022 - Buoy is scheduled for another surgery to remove more tumors next week.

12/12/2022 - Currently Buoy is bright and alert and eating well.

12/5/2022 - Anemia has improved. CT scan indicated no internal tumors present but regrowth of the tumors associated with the eyes and other sites downgrades Buoy’s prognosis.

11/28/2022 -

11/18/2022 -

11/4/2022 -

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

10/21/2022 - Surgery was performed on Thursday to remove Fp tumors on both eyes and left front flipper. Additional tumors will be removed in a month or so, in a staged, slow fashion in order to minimize stress and maximize healing.

10/13/2022 - New patient.