Juggernaut

Species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: March 28, 2020
Stranding Location: Jupiter, FL

Initial Weight: 39.64 lbs.
Current Weight: 48 lbs.

Issue: Buoyancy Disorder

Juggernaut is a juvenile green sea turtle patient that was found floating in Fort Pierce. The turtle has a caudal carapace deformity from an unknown origin. Radiographs also revealed a large amount of gas and feces in the turtle’s intestines. Juggernaut will receive fluids and antibiotics, and will be closely monitored by hospital staff as the buoyancy disorder is treated.

PROGRESS KEY:

Good Condition
Fair Condition
Poor Condition

Patient requires continued treatment but is progressing well.

Minor adjustments have been made to the patient's treatment.

Patient is off all medications.

PROGRESS NOTES:

3/11/2021 -Juggernaut was released on March 10, 2021 from Hutchinson Island.

3/04/2021 -Juggernaut’s carapacial lesions are progressing very well, and the turtle’s overall health is much improved compared to last month. The turtle was taken to JMC for CT this month and the study revealed a relatively normal gastrointestinal tract with minimal gas. Juggernaut’s prognosis is excellent.

2/25/2021 -

2/18/2021 -

2/11/2021 -

2/01/2021 -Juggernaut’s carapacial lesions are progressing very well, and the turtle’s overall health is much improved compared to last month. The turtle’s buoyancy disorder persists but is also improving with time. Juggernaut’s prognosis is good.

1/28/2021 -

1/21/2021 -

1/14/2021 -

1/01/2021 -Juggernaut’s carapacial lesions are responding well to therapy and the turtle continues to improve with treatment. The turtle’s buoyancy disorder is also slowly improving. Juggernaut’s prognosis is guarded.

12/31/2020 -

12/24/2020 -

12/17/2020 -

12/10/2020 -

12/01/2020 -Juggernaut is responding very well to therapy to manage his acute inflammatory reaction. His tissue is healing as expected, and his behavior is returning to normal. Juggernaut’s prognosis is guarded.

11/26/2020 -

11/19/2020 -

11/12/2020 -

11/05/2020 -

11/01/2020 -Juggernaut experienced a second episode of acute inflammation of its skin and carapace this past month, resulting in extensive sloughing of tissue. Biopsies were performed of the lesions and revealed widespread infection. The turtle’s treatment has been modified to reflect its changed clinical status. Juggernaut’s prognosis is guarded.

10/22/2020 -

10/15/2020 -

10/08/2020 -

10/01/2020 -- Juggernaut’s status remains acceptable and the turtle’s carapacial and soft tissue wounds are healing very nicely. It recently had a few modifications in its treatment protocol that have improved the turtle’s progress. Juggernaut’s progress remains good.

9/24/2020 --

9/17/2020 --

9/10/2020 --

9/04/2020 - Juggernaut’s status remains largely unchanged this past month, as the turtle continues to heal nicely from the diffuse tissue sloughing that it experienced earlier in the month. It recently had a few modifications in its treatment protocol.

8/27/2020 --

8/20/2020 -- Juggernaut is responding well to treatment and his skin and shell condition is improving with treatment.

8/13/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count remains elevated but is decreasing. His acute metabolic disturbance has resolved after treatment.

8/06/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count remains elevated and he was treated for an acute metabolic disturbance this week. After treatment, his clinical status has begun to normalize.

7/30/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has increased and a new treatment plan has been initiated to address his emerging skin condition.

7/23/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count remains normal and he is also being treated for a diffuse skin condition.

7/16/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has remained normal.

7/09/2020 -Juggernaut’s white cell count has normalized under the new treatment regimen.

7/02/2020 -Juggernaut’s white cell count has normalized under the new treatment regimen.

6/25/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has increased so a new treatment protocol has been initiated.

6/19/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count is decreasing in the new treatment protocol.

6/11/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has increased again, so the treatment regimen has changed.

6/05/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has normalized on its new medication.

5/28/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count has decreased on his new treatment regimen.

5/22/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count went up as soon as antibiotics were stopped, so it has been put back on medication.

5/15/2020 -Juggernaut's white cell count is now normal and he has been taken off of all systemic medications.

5/08/2020 -Cell count remaining normal, turtle is resting flat on the bottom.

5/01/2020 -Cell count remaining normal.

4/28/2020 -The turtle is now eating!

4/17/2020 -Still refusing to eat

4/09/2020 - Juggernaut is refusing to eat, as some green will often do. His progress is being monitored closely.

3/19/2020 - New Patient