01/20/2018  A fisherman found turtle entangled in a crab pot line.  He disentangled the line from turtle's right front flipper and transported the turtle to Rod and Reel Pier on Anna Maria Island.  Mote Strandings Investigation Program staff transported turtle back to Mote for rehabilitation.  Physical exam revealed that the turtle was in good body condition but showed neurologic signs consistent with possible red tide toxicity.  Turtle was given injectable antibiotics due to entanglement wounds and subcutaneous fluids to help with hydration and to begin to flush out any possible toxins.  Molly was placed in a rehabilitation pool at low water level for the night.

01/21/2018  Molly was given subcutaneous fluids with calcium.  She had no interest in eating today.

01/23/2018  Molly ate her entire diet today!  She mostly ate off feeding tongs, but did forage a piece by the end of the day.

01/29/2018  Turtle is becoming more active and no longer displaying neurologic signs.  Tank water level was raised to full.  Molly is actively foraging all food offered and is continuing to receive injectable antibiotics every 3 days.  Her entanglement wounds are healing well.  

02/09/2018  Blood work today showed that Molly still had a very elevated white blood cell count.  She was switched to an oral antibiotic.  

02/27/2018  Molly's white blood cell count is still elevated and one of her liver values has increased.  Switched to a different oral antibiotic.  Molly is eating well and is very active overall.  

04/28/2018  Molly is extremely active and is occasionally getting picky about what she eats.  The liver value of concern continues to increase, so planning to run furtther diagnostics to try to determine the cause.  

06/29/2018  One of Molly's liver values continues to increase.  Started a new antibiotic and also giving a liver supplement.   Potentially will plan on doing a liver biopsy if blood work does not improve.  Molly continues to eat well and is active.

07/27/2018  Liver biopsy results show no signs of a contagious virus.

08/02/2018 Molly was moved to a larger rehabilitation tank to give her access to natural sunlight and more room to swim.

09/28/2018  Molly was released by Mote staff and interns in Tarpon Springs!