Waffle

Species: Loggerhead Sea Turtle
(Caretta caretta)

Arrival Date: September 21, 2016
Stranding Location: Juno Beach, FL

Initial Weight: 64.46 lbs.
Current Weight: 96.1 lbs.

Issue: Chronic Debilitate

ADMISSION NOTE:

Waffle is a sub-adult loggerhead that was found in the water near the Juno Beach Pier. The initial bloodwork showed anemia, hypoglycemia, and overall poor health due to starvation. The radiographs did not show any fishing hooks. Waffle was given fluids, antibiotics, and iron injections as prescribed. The turtle was kept in fresh water for the two days to remove external parasites. Turtle is receiving parenteral nutrition.

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:

09/22/2017 – We are deeply saddened to report that Waffle passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 21. The turtle had hung on for a long time and seemed to be bouncing back. While the loss of Waffle is sad news for our team and all of our supporters, we learn something from every case and hope that Waffle’s story will someday help us treat other patients.

09/19/2017 –  Waffle was sedated for both legs of the trip to keep the turtle calm and prevent harm to itself during transport. There were no major issues with Waffle during the transports other than a broken nail on the front flipper. While at the aquarium, Waffle refused to eat. Bloodwork remained stable and antibiotics were adjusted since oral medications could not be given. Now that the turtles have returned to LMC, Waffle has been eating well and seems to be improving.

09/17/2017 –Our patients have returned home! We are so thankful for the Georgia Aquarium for taking in our patients during this storm.

09/07/2017 –All of our sea turtle patients have evacuated to the Georgia Aquarium due to Hurricane Irma. They will remain there with a member of our staff until it is safe to return. For all of our preparation for Hurricane Irma visit HERE.

08/31/2017 – Waffle was sedated to get radio-graphs of the injured flipper. The turtle is healing well and as expected.

08/23/2017 –

08/16/2017 – Waffle is using both front flippers exceptionally well. skin lesions are almost completely healed.

08/10/2017 –  We were not able to do follow-up radiographs as the turtle is very active. The fracture does not appear to be affecting he turtle’s behavior.

08/02/2017 –  Waffle is progressing very well. The white cell count is improving. Follow-up radiographs will be done later this week.

07/27/2017 –  Waffle is showing definite improvement

07/20/2017 –  The modified treatment schedule seems to be working well.

07/12/2017 –  We have modified the treatment schedule to minimize the handling to allow the bone to heal.

07/05/2017-  Waffle’s skin condition is continuing to improve. Radiographs taken this week indicate a spontaneous fracture in the right shoulder region. Handing of the turtle will be restricted to give the bone a chance to heal.

06/28/2017- 

06/21/2017- 

06/15/2017- Continuing to improve.

06/08/2017- Waffle is continuing to improve, and the turtle is eating well.

05/31/2017- We have reduced the number of treatments due to the continued, slow improvement.

05/17/2017- The appetite has improved this week.

05/11/2017- The appetite is variable again. We are monitoring very closely.

05/03/2017- The lesions are continuing to improve and the turtle is eating well and gaining weight again.

04/19/2017 – Lesions are dramatically improved and the turtle has started eating.

04/12/2017 – Lesions appear somewhat better this week, but the turtle is still not eating. Treatment will continue.

04/06/2017 – In addition to the bacteria that were previously cultured, a fungal organism was also isolated. The turtle is now being tubed an antifungal medication as the turtle has not been eating well the past two weeks. As a precaution, Waffle has been removed from our adoptee list.

03/30/2017 – We received some culture results that showed an antibiotic resistant organism. The treatment regimen has been modified accordingly.

03/22/2017 – There has been some decline in several of the lesions. We have taken a skin and blood culture to help identify the specific organisms causing the damage. The turtle’s appetite has decreased.

03/15/2017 – The white cell count remains elevated.

03/08/2017 – The skin lesions have shown slow improvement, but the turtle has had a high white cell count for a period of time so antibiotics have been changed.

03/01/2017 – The white cell count has improved slightly.

02/22/2017 – The white cell count has increased. Antibiotics have been changed.

02/16/2017 – The skin is showing dramatic improvement and is healing.

02/08/2017 – Waffle’s topical treatment has been switch from using betadine to honey and SSD (silver sulfadiazine topical).

01/25/2017 – Topical treatment has been decreased to every other day.

01/12/2017 –Waffle has had no new skin lesions. The turtle has completed treatment for coccidia and will be tested next week to determine how successful treatment was.

01/04/2017 –Continuing to improve. Now also undergoing treatment for coccidian.

12/29/2016 –

12/21/2016 –Receiving extensive treatment daily, but slowly improving

12/14/2016 –Continued improvement.

12/09/2016 –Waffle continues to have a few new skin lesions, but the older lesions are healing well.

11/30/2016 –Waffle’s skin issue is slowly resolving with treatment.

11/23/2016 –Waffle has developed a skin issue. The turtle was placed in freshwater for 24hrs and is now back in sea water. Samples have been taken and sent off for analysis.

11/17/2016 –

11/10/2016 – Waffle is gaining weight and progressing well.

11/02/2016 –

10/26/2016 –

10/20/2016 – Waffle’s parenteral nutrition has been discontinued, because the bone marrow is responding well.

10/14/2016 – Waffle is showing improvement and the bone marrow has begun to function. Appetite is good .

9/28/2016 – Waffle continues to receive parenteral nutrition. The turtle is eating and defecating appropriately. It is too early to expect significant improvement.

9/21/2016 – Waffle is a sub-adult loggerhead that was found in the water near the Juno Beach Pier. The initial bloodwork showed anemia, hypoglycemia, and overall poor health due to starvation. The radiographs did not show any fishing hooks. Waffle was given fluids, antibiotics, and iron injections as prescribed. The turtle was kept in fresh water for the two days to remove external parasites. Turtle is receiving parenteral nutrition.