Hopper

Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

Arrival Date: July 9, 2019
Stranding Location: Jupiter, FL

Initial Weight: 108.5 lbs.
Current Weight: 94.7 lbs.

Issue: Unintentional Boat Strike

Hopper is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle patient that was unintentionally hit by a boat approximately 3 miles offshore of the Jupiter Inlet. The turtle has propeller strike injuries to its head and right marginal carapace. The boat strike to Hopper\'s head caused severe damage, and needed to be stabilized. The carapace wounds will be treated topically with antibiotics, honey, and therapeutic laser. Due to the severity of the wounds, the turtle has been dry docked in the hospital since admission. Hopper will receive antibiotics and be monitored closely as the boat strike injuries are treated.

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:

08/16/2019 -A CT scan performed at Jupiter Medical Center confirmed that there were two fractured cervical vertebrae and one misalignment of two cervical vertebrae. The decision was made to euthanize the turtle to relieve its suffering.

08/09/2019 -New radiographs revealed possible vertebral injury in the neck region. We are going to try to get a CT to determine the extent of the injury.

08/05/2019 -Hopper is still not eating on its own, so it was started on parenteral nutrition this week.

07/26/2019 -Hopper is having difficulty with a head tilt, but the turtle is capable of correcting the head tilt on its own.

07/18/2019 -Hopper has been placed outside in a shallow tank. A small bone plate has been attached with screws to secure the bones of the upper jaw.

07/12/2019 - New Patient