Dean

Green (Chelonia mydas)

(ST 0757)

Age Class Juvenile
Gender Male
Date Stranded September 16, 2007
Location of Stranding Near Sebastian Inlet, east coast Florida
Date of Arrival September 16, 2007
Number of Days of Care 171 days

Final Disposition

Euthanized on March 5, 2008

frontal view of sea turtle with fibropapillomatosis

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.

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