Tiffany

Species: Hawksbill sea turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata)

Arrival Date: December 18, 2017
Stranding Location: St. Lucie, Florida

Initial Weight: 82.8 lbs.
Current Weight: 85.1 lbs.

Issue: Chronic Debilitation, possible liver issue
Current Condition: Released

We have named Tiffany in honor of the longstanding support from Tiffany & Co. of Loggerhead Marinelife Center and our annual Go Blue Awards luncheon. We are so appreciative of Tiffany & Co.’s support of LMC over the past 9 years and are proud to name this sea turtle in their honor.

Tiffany & Co. has a strong commitment to the environment and we applaud their core values that it “is your moral duty to sustain the natural environment” and actively  work to  “positively affect communities and protect the planet.”

ADMISSION NOTE:

Tiffany is an adult female hawksbill that was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant intake canal. The turtle was covered with barnacles, including small barnacles on the skin. This is an indication of chronic illness. The turtle is currently undergoing testing to determine the specific cause of the illness.

The initial bloodwork was not diagnostically significant. Radiographs showed evidence of minor intestinal impaction. Tiffany has been started on fluids and antibiotics and was put into freshwater to remove epibiota that covered the turtle’s body. We will monitor the turtle closely as we continue with treatments.

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:

08/23/2018 –  Released!

08/16/2018 –  Tiffany has been approved for release! The turtle will be released Thursday, August 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach.

08/10/2018 –  Because we have not been able to put weight on Tiffany, we will not be applying a transmitter when the turtle is ready for release.

07/29/2018 – Tiffany is finally eating more than shrimp and is gaining some weight.

07/18/2018 –

07/11/2018 –

07/04/2018 –

06/27/2018 –  Tiffany still has occasional increases in white cell counts and is being monitored closely.

06/20/2018 –

06/13/2018 –  Tiffany was tagged this week in preparation for eventual release.

06/07/2018 –

05/30/2018 –  Tiffany’s white cell count seems more stable.

05/24/2018 –

05/16/2018 –

05/10/2018 –

05/02/2018 –

04/26/2018 –  Tiffany’s white cell count is variable, so the treatment regimen has been changed.

04/20/2018 – Tiffany has quit eating in the morning, but will eat everything in the evening, so feeding plan was changed to accommodate this behavior.

04/11/2018 –

04/06/2018 –  Blood and fecal samples have been sent to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine for further analysis due to some unusual blood values. New Radiographs revealed lungs looked excellent and no obvious abnormalities.

03/29/2018 –  Tiffany’s white cell count began to increase, so new antibiotics have been started.

03/22/2018 –  Tiffany’s appetite has improved.

03/14/2018 –

03/09/2018 –  An abscess was found on the left front flipper. It was cultured and the turtle is now on antibiotics.

03/01/2018 –  Tiffany’s white cell count remains within normal limits. The turtle continues to improve.

02/23/2018 –

02/14/2018 –

02/07/2018 –

01/31/2018 –  Tiffany has been taken off all antibiotics.

01/25/2018 –

01/17/2018 –

01/10/2018 –

01/03/2018 –

12/27/2017 –  Tiffany underwent a bronchial lavage procedure and bacteria was recovered. Antibiotic testing indicated that the current treatment should be effective.

12/18/2017 – Arrival