Crumpet

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(ST 0675)

Age Class Subadult
Gender Unknown
Date Stranded August 27, 2006
Location of Stranding Lido Key
Date of Arrival August 27, 2006
Number of Days of Care 64 days

Final Disposition

Died on October 31, 2006

lateral view of sea turtle affected by red tide

Turtle on arrival.

8/28 This turtle was found floating in the surf on Lido Key.  It has lost a lot of weight and is very weak.  It appears to be affected by red tide toxicosis and blood parasites.  Treatment has begun. 8/30 Turtle appears a little stronger today.  Does not have good control of head, a symptom seen in other species last year with red tide toxicosis. 8/31 A little stronger again today.  Will try swimming it later. Test yesterday indicated the definite presence of red tide toxin in this turtle's blood. 9/3 Slightly stronger, but still unable to raise head enough to breathe in water.  Have started tubing with herring gruel. 9/6 Very little change at this point. 9/13 Turtle is a little stronger today and is beginning to raise its head to breathe.  Hopefully, we can get the turtle into the water soon. 9/22 Very little change.  Still not strong enough to go into water. 9/25 Still very little change. 10/1 Turtle is still unable to lift head and is being tube fed. 10/7 Turtle has appeared to be somewhat stronger the last few days.  Still being maintained out of the water. 10/11 Turtle seems stronger each day, but not out of the woods yet.  Still being tube fed. 10/18 Continuing to be somewhat stronger each day. 10/28 Turtle is now beginning to raise its head when placed in shallow water.  Hopefully, it can be placed in water continuously very soon. 10/31 Turtle died at about 1am this morning.  Necropsy is pending. 11/1 Necropsy this morning revealed severe abnormality to the turtle's brain (possibly hydrocephalus), which accounts for the turtles lack of response to treatment.

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