Marian

Species: Green sea turtle
(Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: March 16, 2017
Stranding Location: Riviera Beach, FL

Initial Weight: 27.0 lbs.
Current Weight: 26.55 lbs.

Issue: Fishing line entanglement and ingestion
Current Condition: Improving

ADMISSION NOTE:

Marian is a juvenile Green Sea Turtle that was found by a scuba diver at Phil Foster Park. The turtle had several monofilament lines (fishing lines) coming out of the right side of the mouth and wrapping under the neck connecting to a constriction around the left flipper. The line coming out of the mouth acted like a saw, and cut through the tissue and jaw bone. The line entangled around the flipper cut through the tissue and caused damage to the blood vessels. The line was ingested without a hook, and we are monitoring the turtle as the line works its way through the digestive tract. We are treating the wounds topically with honey. The turtle is also receiving 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:

11/08/2017 –  Marian was released home today!

11/01/2017 –  Turtle was tagged last week.

10/25/2017 –  All medications have been discontinued. The turtle will be tagged in the near future.

10/19/2017 – 

10/04/2017 – 

09/27/2017 – 

09/19/2017 –  Marian was rather active on the transport to Atlanta, but adjusted well while at the aquarium. Sedation was given to Marian for the transport back to LMC to keep the turtle calm and prevent any flipper damage. Marian has been doing well with the transition back to LMC.

09/17/2017 – Our patients have returned home! We are so thankful for the Georgia Aquarium for taking in our patients during this storm.

09/07/2017 – All of our sea turtle patients have evacuated to the Georgia Aquarium due to Hurricane Irma. They will remain there with a member of our staff until it is safe to return. For all of our preparation for Hurricane Irma visit HERE.

08/31/2017 –  

08/23/2017 – 

08/16/2017 –  

08/10/2017 –  

08/02/2017 –  Marian’s white cell count is slightly variable, but the turtle seems to be doing well overall.

07/27/2017 – 

07/20/2017 – 

07/12/2017 – 

07/05/2017 –  Surgery was performed earlier this week to debride a callus that had formed behind the head. The white cell count was somewhat elevated. The treatment regimen has been changed.

06/28/2017 – 

06/21/2017 – 

06/15/2017 – 

06/08/2017 – Marian’s appetite has improved.  Treatments will continue.

05/31/2017 – A gastroscopy procedure was done showing parasites and gastric ulcerations. Treatments have been changed accordingly.

05/17/2017 – A gastroscopy procedure will be scheduled once the barium has been completely removed from the system.

05/11/2017 – We are currently doing a barium series to have a better view of what is going on with the fishing line in the intestines. A gastroscopy may be done in the near future.

05/03/2017 – Marian has developed a few lesions on the plastron. A culture was taken and came back negative. Overall, the turtle seems to be doing well.

04/19/2017 – We are still monitoring for fishing line.

04/12/2017 – Marian is now passing fishing line and plastics. Appetite is good.

04/06/2017 – Radiographs show continued movement and the turtle is defecating occasionally.

03/30/2017 – The radiographic study indicates that some food is moving through the intestines but does not show if the fishing line is moving.

03/22/2017 –The fishing line was removed from the flipper. An endoscope was used to see how far down the fishing line extended into the esophagus/stomach. Sea grass clumps in the esophagus prevented us from getting a good view of how far the fishing line extended. It was determined that the best solution was to cut the line as far back into the esophagus as we could safely go and monitor the patient closely. Defecations will be collected to find any fishing line that may pass through the intestines. Marian started eating the first time it was offered food.

03/16/2017 – Marian is a juvenile Green Sea Turtle that was found by a scuba diver at Phil Foster Park. The turtle had several monofilament lines (fishing lines) coming out of the right side of the mouth and wrapping under the neck connecting to a constriction around the left flipper. The line coming out of the mouth acted like a saw, and cut through the tissue and jaw bone. The line entangled around the flipper cut through the tissue and caused damage to the blood vessels. The line was ingested without a hook, and we are monitoring the turtle as the line works its way through the digestive tract. We are treating the wounds topically with honey. The turtle is also receiving antibiotics.