K. Sea

Species: Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

1st Visit Arrival Date: July 11, 2016
2nd Visit Arrival Date: April 22, 2019

1st Stranding Location: North Palm Beach, Florida
2nd Stranding Location: North Palm Beach, Florida

1st Initial Weight: 4.8 lbs.
Current Weight: 11.62 lbs.

1st Issue: Debilitated
2nd Issue: Hooked by Fisherman

K. Sea is a juvenile green sea turtle patient that was hooked by a recreational fisherman in the Intracoastal Waterway in North Palm Beach. Radiographs revealed a hook in both the mouth and lower stomach. The hook in K. Sea\'s mouth was removed shortly after arrival, but we are hopeful the second hook will pass on its own. This turtle was a previous patient of ours that originally stranded chronic debilitated with a lung infection on July 11, 2016. We are happy to see that, aside from the hooks, the turtle is in good condition. Since being released on February 2, 2017, the turtle has grown from 30.8 cm to 38.8 cm, and from 6.42 lbs. to 11.62 lbs. Hospital staff will closely monitor the turtle with routine bloodwork as its being treated with antibiotics.

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:

05/16/2019 - We are saddened to report that K. Sea succumbed to her injuries.

05/09/2019 -K. Sea underwent hook removal surgery and required a blood transfusion following surgery. The turtle is being observed closely.

05/05/2019 -K. Sea underwent a gastroscopy and it was found that the second hook was not within the stomach. It is located just past the stomach, in the duodenum. We are considering surgery to remove the hook, possibly next week.

04/22/2019 - K. Sea arrived at our hospital with a fishing hook in both the mouth and lower stomach. The hook from the mouth was removed and we are hopeful the second hook will pass on its own.

02/08/2017 - K. Sea was released at Coral Cove Park on February 2nd.

01/25/2017 - K.Sea is continuing to do well.

01/12/2017 -

01/04/2017 -

12/29/2016 -

12/21/2016 -

12/14/2016 -

12/09/2016 - K. Sea is doing well off antibiotics.

11/30/2016 -

11/23/2016 - K.Sea receive a PIT tag and was taken off all antibiotics.

11/17/2016 -

11/10/2016 - K. Sea\'s white cell count is within normal limits. The turtle is only receiving one antibiotic. The turtle will be tagged next week.

11/02/2016 -

10/26/2016 -

10/20/2016 -

10/14/2016 - K. Sea has continued showing dramatic improvement. The turtle is eating well, but is continuing on antibiotics.

9/29/2016 -

9/22/2016 -

9/14/2016 - K. Sea is eating very well and gaining weight.

9/07/2016 - K. Sea is now eating fish on its own.

9/01/2016 - K. Sea has shown dramatic improvement. The parenteral nutrition has been discontinued. We are currently doing physical therapy on the jaw and the turtle has recently begun to eat on its own. A spinal tap was done. The results were negative, indicating there was no infection in the brain.

8/25/2016 - Spinal tap results were negative. Turtle is showing more activity and interest in food.

8/17/2016 - Performed spinal tap and sent samples off for diagnosis.

8/11/2016 - Turtle still receiving parenteral nutrition.

7/11/2016 - K. Sea was found beached on a sandbar. Upon arrival the turtle was lethargic and emaciated. Radiographs and bloodwork revealed an infection within the lungs. K. Sea is being nebulized with an antibiotic to which the infection is susceptible. The turtle is also having trouble eating as it is unable to open its mouth. Radiographs show no breaks in the bones or apparent reasons for the turtle to not open its mouth, so this is likely due to a neurological problem. We are administering Parenteral Nutrition (PN) intravenously twice a day.