Final Disposition
Euthanized on Dec. 3, 2010
11/5 Cuervo arrived today at the Sea Turtle Hospital in fair condition. Fluids were administered and the turtle was placed in shallow water. In water, the turtle would list to the right side and lift its head at an angle, indicating a possible neck injury. X-rays did not show an obvious fracture. Cuervo did eat immediately.
11/12 Cuervo was taken for an MRI and the results showed there was no break in the neck but that the right lung was not fully inflating. This could be due to possible pneumonia. Lung cultures were taken and Cuervo has been placed on antibiotics.
11/19 The turtle underwent exploratory surgery today to see if it is suffering from internal tumors. No tumors were found, however we did find ovaries — indicating that Cuervo is female. (Since turtles don’t carry external sexual organs, it can be difficult to determine sex until they’re very mature.)
11/28 Cuervo still does not lift her head properly though she continues to eat and receive antibiotics daily.
12/3 Follow-up X-rays showed that Cuervo had a number of internal papilloma’s that could not be removed via surgery and that the best course of action would be to humanely euthanize the turtle.