Meeko

humanely euthanized

Meeko upon arrival at Mote.

6/25 This turtle was found floating upside down and when it was put back in water, it only used its left side and swam in circles. The turtle also has numerous fibropapillomas. Meeko was admitted to Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and will be monitored closely. 7/1 The turtle appears to have some sort of vistibular disease — the vistibular system helps maintain balance. The turtle flips over on its back. Additionally, it tilts to the left and its right pupil appears bigger than the one in its left eye. There is also a scar over the turtle's right ear. We will send turtle to Tampa a CT scan. 7/13 Meeko was transported to Tampa for the scan and we are awaiting a report. In the meantime, the is eating well but must be kept in low water so it cannot turn over. 7/18 We will start the turtle on antibiotics and monitor closely. The CT report shows nothing definitive. 7/31 The turtle remains the same, with the pronounced head tilt. We will give the animal more time to resolve this condition. 8/22 Unfortunately, Meeko was not responding to therapy and was humanely euthanized. During the necropsy (animal autopsy), we discovered a brain lesion.