Howard
Howard
Species: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Arrival Date: March 13, 2019
Stranding Location: Jensen Beach, FL
Initial Weight: 166.9 lbs.
Current Weight: 171.6 lbs.
Issue: Unintentional Boat Strike
Howard is available for adoption but has been released to his ocean home! All adoptive parents can track Howard!
Howard is an adult male loggerhead that was found near Ft. Pierce with an unintentional boat strike injury to one rear flipper, to its tail, and to its marginal carapace. The turtle had lost considerable blood and was very anemic upon arrival. The wounds that appeared to be 7-10 days old were cleaned and several bleeding vessels were ligated to stop the bleeding. A pressure bandage was placed on the lower left rear flipper to reduce any more bleeding. The turtle is being monitored closely in case a blood transfusion becomes necessary. The turtle has been started on antibiotics and fluids.
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:
10/17/2019 -Howard was released! Release photos here!
10/14/2019 - Howard has been cleared for release on October 17!
10/03/2019 -All treatment, both topical and systemic, has been discontinued.
09/26/2019 -Howard's injuries are almost completely healed.
09/12/2019 -Howard\'s white cell count is normal.
08/23/2019 -Howard finally decided to eat again!
08/16/2019 -Howard has not eaten since the debridement procedure, but is doing very well otherwise.
08/09/2019 -Howard was sedated for a debridement and the wounds are almost completely healed.
08/05/2019 -Howard is using his injured rear flipper more regularly over the last couple of weeks.
07/26/2019 -Howard\'s wounds are all almost healed.
07/18/2019 -Howard\'s white cell count is remaining normal and the turtle may be taken off medication soon.
07/11/2019 -Howard\'s white cell count is now normal.
07/04/2019 -Howard\'s white cell count is back down, almost to normal.
06/27/2019 -Howard\'s white cell count went back up and was started on new medications.
06/20/2019 -Howard\'s anemia is now within 2% of being resolved.
06/13/2019 -Howard\'s anemia is within 3% of being resolved.
06/06/2019 -Howard\'s blood work looks good except anemia is not quite resolved.
05/30/2019 -Howard received his final parasite treatment and his wounds were debrided under sedation this week.
05/23/2019 -Howard continues to show slow improvement.
05/16/2019 -Howard's white cell count is remaining normal. The turtle has been started on treatment for internal parasites.
05/09/2019 -Howard's white cell count is back down to normal. Ultrasound exam revealed vascular disease in the aorta caused by sprirorchiid parasites.
05/05/2019 -Howard's white cell count remains slightly elevated.
04/25/2019 -Howard's white cell count is going down.
04/17/2019 -Howard's wounds contine to heal well and the flipper is still intact.
04/11/2019 -Howard's wounds continue to heal well and the flipper is still intact.
04/04/2019 - Howard was sedated this week and the wounds were debrided. The turtle has a very god appetite.
03/28/2019 - Howard continues to respond to treatment.
03/20/2019 - Howard's wounds were partially debrided and healing appears to have begun. Packed cell volume is stable, so no transfusion will be necessary.
03/14/2019 - New patient