Fritz

Species: Green Sea Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: February 22, 2016
Stranding Location: Fort Pierce, FL

Initial Weight: 49.90 lbs.
Current Weight: 62.48 lbs.

Issue: Flotation
Current Condition: Improving

ADMISSION NOTE:

Fritz is a large juvenile green sea turtle that was found stranded in a marina in Fort Pierce. The carapace is deformed due to either a chronic buoyancy issue or because of an old injury or a congenital abnormality. We have not determined the exact cause yet. Initial bloodwork shows that the turtle has a high white cell count which indicates a systemic infection, and very low blood glucose. Fritz was given injectable antibiotics and fluids with dextrose subcutaneously in order to battle the infection and raise the blood glucose. Initial radiographs do not show an obvious cause for the turtle’s stranding. We will continue to monitor Fritz’s behavior, breathing and bloodwork closely.

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:

08/07/2017 –  Fritz was released on August 3rd. View photos from the release here >>

07/27/2017 –  Fritz has been medically cleared for release in the near future

07/20/2017 – Fritz has been taken off all medications in hope that he can be released in the near future.

07/12/2017 – 

07/05/2017 –  Fritz white cell counts are approaching normal again since we started a new antibiotic

06/28/2017 – 

06/21/2017 – 

06/15/2017 – 

06/08/2017 – All medications have been discontinued. The turtle will be tested and evaluated later this week to determine if the turtle can be cleared for release.

05/31/2017 – 

05/17/2017 – 

05/11/2017 – 

05/03/2017 – The white cell count appears to be stable. We are currently weaning the turtle off medications.

04/19/2017 – 

04/12/2017 – 

04/06/2017 – The white blood cell count has been variable, but is now approaching normal limits.

03/30/2017 – 

03/22/2017 – 

03/15/2017 – 

03/08/2017 – The antibiotic treatment has been continued. The white cell count is beginning to come within normal limits.

03/01/2017 – 

02/22/2017 – 

02/16/2017 – 

02/08/2017 – The antibiotic treatment has been continued. The white cell count is showing a downward (improving) trend and is being rechecked today.

01/25/2017 – Fritz’s white cell count has increased. The turtle has been placed on antibiotics.

01/012/2017 – Fritz will be pulled next week to evaluate for possible release.

01/04/2017 – 

12/29/2016 – 

12/21/2016 – 

12/14/2016 – 

12/9/2016 – Fritz was pulled for evaluation this week. The blood work was all within normal limits. The turtle was taken off all antibiotics.

11/30/2016 – 

11/23/2016 – 

11/17/2016 – 

11/10/2016 – Fritz’ white cell count has decreased to near normal. Treatment will continue until it remains normal.

11/02/2016 – 

10/26/2016 –

10/20/2016 – 

10/14/2016 – Fritz’ white cell count has gone back up, so the turtle has been restarted on antibiotics.

9/29/2016 – 

9/22/2016 – 

9/14/2016 – 

9/07/2016 – 

9/01/2016 – The kidney values have returned to normal and the turtle has been taken off all medications.

8/25/2016 – 

8/17/2016 – 

8/11/2016 – 

8/07/2016 – The kidney values from the turtle have been slowly rising. At this point there is no issue. We will continue to monitor to see that the kidney values stabilize.

7/07/2016 – Fritz has been taken off all but one medication. Bloodwork appears to be within normal limits. We are hopeful the positive trend will continue.

6/08/2016 – Fritz seems to be doing well in the larger tank. Bloodwork will be done in the next few weeks to determine if medications can be discontinued.

5/19/2016 – Fritz has been moved to a larger, deeper tank. Fritz is swimming well and able to stay down at the bottom. Bloodwork continues to be normal.

4/28/2016 – Fritz has been enjoying the ledge (enrichment). This turtle has not had problems diving or staying underwater. The bloodwork appears to be within normal limits at this time.

4/2/2016 – Fritz received a CT scan at Jupiter Medical Center and no air pockets were found and the lungs appear to be normal. The turtle has been placed in deeper water and appears to be diving better. We will build another artificial ledge for the turtle soon.

2/24/2016 – Fritz is a large juvenile green sea turtle that was found stranded in a marina in Fort Pierce. The carapace is deformed due to either a chronic buoyancy issue or because of an old injury or a congenital abnormality. We have not determined the exact cause yet. Initial bloodwork shows that the turtle has a high white cell count which indicates a systemic infection, and very low blood glucose. Fritz was given injectable antibiotics and fluids with dextrose subcutaneously in order to battle the infection and raise the blood glucose. Initial radiographs do not show an obvious cause for the turtle’s stranding. We will continue to monitor Fritz’s behavior, breathing and bloodwork closely.