Final Disposition
Euthanized on March 5, 2008
Turtle on arrival.
9/18 Turtle was caught yesterday by scientists from UCF during a routine survey. Turtle has fibropapillomatosis and has monofilament line around some tumors and down its throat. Radiographs revealed no hooks present on the line. Started on antibiotics.
9/25 We were unable to retrieve the fishing line via gastroscopy, so we are giving the turtle some time to see it the line will pass on through or will require surgery.
9/28 Turtle had laser surgery to remove some of the tumors. Is doing well, but line has not passed and appetite has decreased somewhat since surgery.
10/19 Contrast radiography revealed no blockage to the GI tract. Turtle is eating some and taking medications.
10/24 Appetite is greatly improved.
10/28 Continuing to improve.
10/31 Turtle finally passed the monofilament line today, taking almost 1.5 months to pass.
11/13 White count is high and turtle is on antibiotics, but doing well otherwise.
11/21 Turtle had laser surgery this morning to remove remainder of tumors. Surgery went well and turtle is back in the water.
11/29 Turtle is recovering from surgery very well and eating well.
12/5 Turtle is healing well from surgery.
12/14 Turtle continues to heal well and do well.
12/26 Turtle is battling a high white count again, but is eating well.
1/15 White count has improved. Doing very well.
1/23 White count is down.
2/4 White count is finally staying down.
2/13 Did an MRI at Bowes Imaging Center and found a 1.6 cm growth in the right lung. Deciding what to do at this point.
3/5 Turtle was euthanized this morning and the necropsy revealed about 12 tumors growing in both lungs. No treatment was possible for these tumors.