Valentina

Species: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Arrival Date: February 14, 2019
Stranding Location: Jensen Beach, FL

Initial Weight: 153.67 lbs.
Current Weight: 159.1 lbs.

Issue: Chronic Debilitated

Valentina is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle patient that was found in the St. Lucie Power Plant Intake Canal. The patient's bloodwork on arrival indicated anemia and hypoglycemia. Valentina is underweight, lethargic and is in poor health due to chronic debilitation. The turtle also is missing its left front flipper due to an unknown trauma. The wound will be treated topically with honey and therapeutic laser. Valentina is receiving parenteral nutrition, antibiotics and iron to treat its chronic debilitation. Hospital staff will closely monitor the turtle with routine bloodwork as its being treated.

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:

05/09/2019 - Valentina was released on May 7! View a video of her release on our Facebook page, here.

05/05/2019 -Valentina is scheduled for release on 5/7/19!

04/25/2019 -Valentina's white cell count remains normal and the flipper wound is almost completely healed. May be ready for release fairly soon.

04/17/2019 -Valentina's white cell count is remaining normal off of medications.

04/11/2019 -Valentina is healing very well.

04/04/2019 -Valentina's surgery site is healing very well.

03/27/2019 - A mass was surgically removed from Valentina's right shoulder area. The mass turned out to be a well-encapsulated abscess.

03/20/2019 -Valentina is now gaining weight and is responding well to treatment.

03/13/2019 - Valentina's pressure bandage has been removed and no further bleeding has been observed. The turtle's bone marrow is responding well and the anemia is resolving quickly.

03/06/2019 - Valentina's anemia is resolving and the turtle has been given deeper water.

02/27/2019 - Valentina is improving to the point that we may have to discontinue the parenteral nutrition.

02/14/2019 - New patient