Susan

Species: Green Sea Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)

Arrival Date: August 14, 2015
Stranding Location: Fort Pierce, FL

Initial Weight: 55.95 lbs.
Current Weight: 61.7 lbs.

Issue: Chronic Debilitation
Current Condition: Released.

ADMISSION NOTE:

Susan is a juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating off the Fort Pierce Inlet. The turtle is chronic debilitated and has a carapace wound that has healed from a previous boat collision. Radiographs (x-rays) revealed that the turtle has an abundance of air and feces in its intestines. A large clump of necrotic tissue was removed for the colon, which allowed Susan to start defecating normally. Parenteral Nutrition was started as Susan was not eating for the first few weeks. Susan has started eating very well in the last few days; however, PN will be continued for additional nutritional support.

PROGRESS NOTES:

7/20/2016 – Susan was released privately on Wednesday, July 20, offshore with the support of our community partners, Jupiter Dive Center. The turtle now dives well, but because of the damage to the back of the carapace, the turtle was released from a boat offshore near the ledges where past patient, Reef was released.

7/07/2016 – Susan has been taken off all medication and has received a PIT tag and flipper tags. The turtle will be evaluated for release in the near future.

6/08/2016 – Susan has been taken off all but one medication. Bloodwork appears to be within normal limits. We are hopeful the positive trend will continue.

5/19/2016 – Susan’s blood values have been steadily improving since the turtle was placed on the current treatment regimen.

4/28/2016 – Susan’s blood values continue to be slightly elevated. Radiographs are going to be taken to determine if there are new issues.

4/2/2016 – Susan’s blood values continue to be stable.  The turtle was given an artificial ledge in the tank which it utilized heavily.

2/24/2016 – Susan’s blood values appear to be stable. The wound on the neck is healing well.

2/1/2016 – Susan’s white count has continued to decrease over the last month and we are continuing treatment.

1/8/2016 – Susan’s appetite has greatly improved and the neck lesion seems to be healing.

12/17/2015 – Susan’s white cell count has steadily started to decrease. This turtle has refused to eat over the last few days but is doing ok otherwise.

11/30/2015 – Susan’s white blood cell count has gone even higher, and a new antibiotic regimen has been started.

11/9/2015 – Susan’s white blood cell count has increased again, so a new antibiotic has been started.  The turtle’s progress will continue to be monitored closely.

10/26/2015 – Susan’s blood culture results came back inconclusive. We have added another oral antibiotic into the regimen to combat the increased white blood cell count.

10/8/2015 – Susan’s appetite has been variable, apparently due to an infection as the white count is elevated.  This week we took a blood culture in order to determine the cause of the infection.  In the meantime, Susan has been started on two new antibiotics.

9/8/2015 – Susan is a juvenile green sea turtle that was found floating off the Fort Pierce Inlet. The turtle is chronic debilitated and has a carapace wound that has healed from a previous boat collision. Radiographs (x-rays) revealed that the turtle has an abundance of air and feces in its intestines. A large clump of necrotic tissue was removed for the colon, which allowed Susan to start defecating normally. Parenteral Nutrition was started as Susan was not eating for the first few weeks. Susan has started eating very well in the last few days; however, PN will be continued for additional nutritional support.