Judy

Species: Green Sea Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: March 11, 2016
Stranding Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Initial Weight: 7.35 lbs.
Current Weight: 8.10 lbs.

Issue: Boat strike
Current Condition: Improving

ADMISSION NOTE:

Judy was found floating in the Loxahatchee River with a large amount of mud and epibiota attached. There is a boat strike wound on the carapace that caused the lungs and spine to be exposed. Judy has been on antibiotics and a wound-vacuum system since arrival. The wound-vacuum is helping the injury to heal faster by increasing circulation and pulling out any fluid produced through constant negative pressure. Judy is being dry docked while on the wound-vac, but is placed in the hospital tank with water to eat each day.

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:

02/16/2017 – Was released on February 9th from Coral Cove Park.

02/08/2017 – Judy has been approved for release.

01/25/2017 –

01/12/2017 – Judy has completed treatment for coccidia and will be tested next week to determine how successful treatment was.

01/04/2017 – Undergoing treatment for coccidia.

12/29/2016 –

12/21/2016 –

12/14/2016 –

12/09/2016 – Judy is doing well following being tagged.

11/30/2016 –

11/23/2016 – Judy received a PIT tag.

11/17/2016 –

11/10/2016 – Judy has been taken off all medications and will be tagged in the near future.

11/02/2016 –

10/26/2016 –

10/20/2016 –

10/14/2016 – Judy’s white cell count has been normal, so the turtle is now receiving only one antibiotic.

9/29/2016 –

9/22/2016 –

9/14/2016 –

9/07/2016 –

9/01/2016 – The weight has been removed from the carapace. Judy has been using the ledge in the tank regularly. Judy’s antibiotics have been decreased.

8/25/2016 –

8/17/2016 –

8/11/2016 –

8/07/2016 – The lesions have completely healed. The back end of the turtle has been tending to float higher than the front end. A lead weight has been secured to the back of the turtle to help stabilize Judy underwater. A shelf has also been placed in the tank to help Judy rest comfortably, lower in the water column.

7/07/2016 – Judy’s white cell count remains elevated. The treatment plan has changed to correct the increased white cell count. The turtle underwent cryosurgery for a couple of small lesions on the flippers.

6/08/2016 – Judy’s white cell count has increased again. The treatment plan has been modified. Laser therapy has been discontinued as the wounds have healed.

5/19/2016 – The wound on the carapace continues to heal well. Antibiotics and laser therapy are being continued.

4/28/2016 – The VAC therapy has sealed the wounds that penetrated into the coelomic cavity. VAC has been discontinued. The wound continues to heal very well. Therapeutic laser treatment is being used on this injury.

4/2/2016 – Judy was found floating in the Loxahatchee River with a large amount of mud and epibiota attached. There is a boat strike wound on the carapace that caused the lungs and spine to be exposed. Judy has been on antibiotics and a wound-vacuum system since arrival. The wound-vacuum is helping the injury to heal faster by increasing circulation and pulling out any fluid produced through constant negative pressure. Judy is being dry docked while on the wound-vac, but is placed in the hospital tank with water to eat each day.