Final Disposition
Released March 8, 2010 off Lido Key
12/23 Small green turtle with approximately 8 inches of small-test fishing line coming out of the mouth and a few small paps. Turtle was transported from Clearwater Aquarium. Turtle is lethargic, appears dehydrated and is covered with barnacles. Radiographs did not indicate any issues with the GI tract and no hooks were identified.
12/24 Gave turtle gruel this morning. Animal seems a little stronger today.
12/26 Turtle ate a small amount of food on its own.
1/5 Monofilament passed today. No hook.
1/10 Turtle has been eating well and has now moved to a bigger tank and deeper water.
1/25 Turtle is slowly gaining weight but still too thin and anemic to have surgery to remove papilloma’s.
2/27 Turtle is gaining weight and will have surgery to remove papilloma’s once his blood parameters improve.
3/20 Turtle had surgery today to remove papilloma’s and is recovering well.
4/12 Turtle is eating well and if off all medications.
5/11 Turtle remains pap free since his surgery in March.
7/6 Turtle is eating great and growing. No new growths since surgery in March.
8/7 Turtle still having some issues with blood parameters and will be scheduled for CT scan.
9/4 Turtle went for a CT scan and no abnormalities were found. White blood cell count is still elevated, started on an antibiotic.
10/20 Turtle was recently moved in with another pap turtle, “Ben”, and both are doing well with the new arrangement.
11/30 Animal seems to be enjoying the company of another papilloma turtle. This new arrangement has encouraged Dasher to eat some greens! No new papilloma’s noted at this time.
3/8/2010 Dasher is now one year out from his last surgery to remove papilloma’s and has shown no regrowth’s. Release took place today off Lido Beach, along with Anakin and Gwen — a very special release highlighting all three species of sea turtle we commonly treat in our hospital!