Final Disposition
Released 22 July 1999 near original stranding site in Gulf of Mexico
Louie was admitted to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital because of a large wound on the back of his neck involving the entire area between his head and his carapace. The wound was cleaned and treated topically. Louie received systemic antibiotics to control infection. The wound healed over about a three month period with no restriction of movement of the head. He was released back into the wild.
Lessons: Even fairly large wounds will heal in sea turtles with a minimum of scarring and a minimum of scar retraction.
On arrival
Large would on neck
Burrowing Barnacles
Turtle during treatment
Final condition
(compare to image above)
Final condition of flipper
(compare to image above)
Back to the sea!