Whisper

Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

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

Initial Weight: 5.02 lbs.
Current Weight: 5.85 lbs.

Issue: Cold stunned
Current Condition: New patient

Whisper 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:

02/04/2019 - Whisper was released!

01/25/2019 - Whisper has been cleared for release in the near future.

01/17/2019 - Whisper has been taken off all medications.

01/10/2019 - Whisper's white cell count is normal for the first time.

01/03/2019 - Whisper's white cell count is approaching normal.

12/26/2018 - Whisper's white blood cell count continues to decline on the current treatment.

12/19/2018 - Whisper's white blood cell count is finally coming down. Radiographs revealed the lungs were much better, so nebulization has been discontinued.

12/12/2018 -

12/05/2018 - Whisper is being treated for pneumonia. Because the white blood cell count is rising, antibiotics have been changed.

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