Martha

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

Arrival Date: November 21, 2018
Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA

Initial Weight: 1.94 lbs.
Current Weight: 2.73 lbs.

Issue: Cold stunned

Martha is a juvenile Kemp\'s ridley sea turtle that arrived cold-stunned from the Cape Cod area, along with 19 others. Sea turtles are cold-blooded and rely on the environment to control their body temperatures. The cold waters in Cape Cod Bay disturb the metabolism of the turtles, causing them to be cold-stunned and have trouble moving. These turtles are often found floating on the water\'s surface, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. This patient was flown down to LMC from the New England Aquarium for long-term treatment with the support of Turtles Fly Too. We are also grateful for Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries Service, and FWC for their parts in helping these cold-stunned sea turtles. The turtles are receiving 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:

04/17/2019 -Martha was released from Canaveral National Seashore.

04/11/2019 -Martha is likely to be ready for release in the near future.

04/04/2019 - Martha is doing well off the medication.

03/27/2019 - Martha's white cell count is now normal and medication has been discontinued.

03/20/2019 - Martha's white cell count went up slightly, so we are delaying stopping medication.

03/13/2019 - Martha will be evaluated this week to determine if we can stop all medication.

03/06/2019 - White blood cell count is now normal

02/27/2019 - White blood cell count continues to come down.

02/20/2019 - White blood cell count continues to come down.

02/13/2019 - White blood cell count is coming back down.

02/04/2019 - White blood cell count has gone back up slightly.

01/25/2019 - Cell count is normal.

01/17/2019 - Antibiotics were changed due to white cell count elevation.

01/10/2019 -

01/03/2019 -

12/26/2018 - Martha's white blood cell count is decreasing with the current treatment.

12/19/2018 -

12/12/2018 -

12/05/2018 -

11/21/2018 - Arrived