Monica

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(ST05141)

Age Class	Adult
Gender	Female
Date Stranded	September 14, 2005
Location of Stranding	Manasota Key, FL
Date of Arrival	September 14, 2005
Number of Days of Care	22 days

Final Disposition

Euthanized on October 7, 2005

This turtle stranded on Manasota Key. It has the same symptoms as other turtles affected by red tide toxicosis. We are trying a new treatment to help keep the turtle alive. 9/21 Turtle is still alive. There seems to be a return of some neurological function, possibly because of the new treatment. 9/27 Turtle is slowly becoming more responsive. Still being kept out of the water. 10/4 Slightly fewer neurological symptoms, but still out of the water. Now being tube-fed. 10/7 Turtle has been becoming increasingly weak over the last 24 hours. It appears to have kidney failure. When respiratory difficulties developed, the decision was made to euthanize the turtle. Necropsy is pending. 10/9 Necropsy revealed kidney problems and a large amount of sand in the lungs (from the stranding event) and associated infection. It is surprising the turtle lived as long as it did.