Captain Hook

Species: Green Sea Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)

Stranding Date: August 31, 2013
Stranding Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Initial Weight: 42.5 lbs.
Current Weight: 42.5 lbs.

Issue: Buoyancy Disorder
Current Condition: Improving

 

ADMISSION NOTE:

Captain Hook is a large juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating in the intracoastal waterway near PGA Blvd. The turtle is strong and blood work did not show any abnormalities. Radiographs showed an abundant amount of air in the intestines. Antibiotics have been administered for an intestinal infection. The animal will continue to receive antibiotics as prescribed.  The missing right front flipper is an old injury that is completely healed and had nothing to do with the stranding.

PROGRESS NOTES:

12/23/2013 – Captain Hook was released on December 18th. To see photos of the release, please visit our facebook page.

12/16/2013 – Captain Hook is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, December 18th at 4pm at the beach across from Loggerhead Marinelife Center. For more information and schedule changes due to weather, please check out our facebook page.

12/9/2013 – The final bloodwork will be done this week to determine if Captain Hook will be ready for release. If the bloodwork comes back ok, Captain Hook will be release this week to make room for our newest patients.

11/25/2013 – Captain Hook received a pit tag and one flipper tag. So far there have been no complications with the tags. Final bloodwork will need to be done before this animal can be scheduled for release.

11/18/2013 – All medications were discontinued for Captain Hook. This turtle will receive a pit tag and flipper tags next week. Bloodwork will also be done in one week to make sure no changes occur while no off antibiotics for the first week.

11/11/2013 – Captain Hook continues to improve and remain active.

11/4/2013 – Captain Hook is doing well on the current treatment plan.

10/28/2013 – Captain Hook continues to receive antibiotics.

10/21/2013 – No changes have been seen in Captain Hook’s behavior or appetite. This animal will continue to be monitored.

10/14/2013 – Captain Hook is no longer buoyant. This animal will continue on the current treatment until the infection has completely resolved.

10/7/2013 – Captain Hook has been seen swimming horizontally more often and is hardly floating. Captain Hook is very strong and is responding well with treatment.

9/30/2013 – Captain Hook was seen lying completely flat on the bottom of the tank this week. The turtle will remain on antibiotics until the issue is completely resolved.

9/23/2013 – Captain Hook was seen lying almost flat on the bottom of the tank this week. One oral medication was discontinued this week. Oz will remain on antibiotics for a while longer.

9/16/2013 – Captain Hook is doing well. This animal is still floating at the surface. An attempt to aspirate air from the intestines was done this week; however no air could be extracted. Captain Hook will continue on oral and injectable antibiotics.

9/9/2013 – Captain Hook is doing well. This animal was found last Saturday in the intercoastal waterway, just north of the Donald Ross Bridge, by one of our dedicated volunteers. She reported the turtle to Fish and Wildlife law enforcement, which had taken us on their boat to retrieve the animal. This turtle has already started eating and is receiving oral antibiotics. Captain Hook is still floating; however we are hopeful the gas in the intestines will decrease soon.