Ray

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

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

Initial Weight: 6.20 lbs.
Current Weight: 6.73 lbs.

Issue: Cold stunned

Ray 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:

04/04/2019 - Ray was released today from New Smyrna Beach!

03/27/2019 - Ray has been cleared for release next week.

03/20/2019 - Ray's white cell count continues to be normal since being taken off medication.

03/13/2019 - Ray's white cell count is normal since being taken off medication.

03/06/2019 - Ray has been taken off all antibiotics

02/27/2019 - Ray's white cell count remains normal and may be taken off antibiotics soon.

02/20/2019 - Ray\'s white cell count remains normal and may be taken off antibiotics soon.

02/13/2019 - Cell count is normal.

02/06/2019 -

02/04/2019 - Ray's white cell count has gone back up so the turtle has been started on a new antibiotic.

01/25/2019 - Ray has been taken off all medications.

01/17/2019 - Ray's white cell count is back to normal.

01/10/2019 - Ray's white cell count went back up, so antibiotics have been changed.

01/03/2019 - White cell count is normal for the first time.

12/26/2018 - Ray's white blood cell count is normal for the first time.

12/19/2018 - Ray's white cell count has continued going up so an additional antibiotic has been added. Radiographs revealed the lungs were clear, so nebulization was discontinued.

12/12/2018 - Ray's white cell count has gone up so the antibiotics have been changed.

12/05/2018 - Ray is undergoing treatment for pneumonia and is doing fairly well.

11/21/2018 - Arrived - Radiographs revealed that Ray was developing pneumonia so the turtle is receiving antibiotics via nebulization every day.