Turtle on arrival.

9/3 Turtle was found floating off Pinellas Point, St. Petersburg, near the Sunshine Skyway Causeway and was transported to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital by Rhonda Bailey of FWC.  Turtle is very anemic, lethargic, and covered with barnacles and algae.  Turtle has been placed in shallow water and started on treatment. 9/6 Turtle is greatly improved and is eating well. 9/9 Blood results received today indicate that this turtle was NOT affected by red tide.  TUrtle is continuing to do very well. 9/11 As we have raised the water level, the turtle has begun to float.  Ultrasound indicates there is a lot of air in the intestine, so we have taken a culture and started the turtle on an oral antibiotic. 9/13 Radiographs yesterday confirmed air in the intestines and showed some pneumonia as well.  Doing fairly well, other than floating continuously. 9/22 Still having floating issues and pneumonia.  If not better over the weekend, will do bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage early next week.  Appetite is good. 9/25 Will do bronchoscopy and BAL tomorrow. 9/26 Bronchoscopy revealed no abnormalities in the lungs, but will take a few days for the cultures to come back.  Exam revealed a pocket of air in the coelomic cavity on the turtle's left side.  A total of 1.8 liters of air were removed from the pocket and the turtle is now able to dive to the bottom of the tank.  May have to remove more air in a day or two. 10/1 Turtle is now able to rest on the bottom (no more bouyancy problems) and appetite is excellent.  Anemia is responding to treatment, although somewhat slowly. 10/7 Turtle continues to improve and gain weight. 10/18 Continuing to do very well.  Anemia is almost gone. 10/28 Turtle may be within a month or less of release.  Continuing to do very well. 11/1 Turtle has been tagged and we have received permission for release late this week. 11/3 Turtle was released this morning.  It swam away strongly.