Riptide

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

(Rip, ST 06106)

Age Class	Subadult
Gender	Unknown
Date Stranded	September 18, 2006
Location of Stranding	Siesta Key
Date of Arrival	September 18, 2006
Number of Days of Care	21 days

Final Disposition

Died October 10, 2006

Turtle on arrival, note swollen eyes (typical of red tide toxicosis).

9/19 Turtle was reported by Helen Miller in the surf on Siesta Key. Turtle was transported to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and was found to be lethargic with muscular weakness and swollen eyes. Diagnosis is red tide toxicosis. Treatment has been initiated. 9/22 Swelling in eyes is completely gone, but turtle is still very weak. Blood results received today indicate presence of red tide toxin in high levels in the blood. Still too weak to be in the water. 9/25 Still very weak. Very little change so far. 10/1 May be slightly stronger, but still unable to raise its head to breath. 10/7 Better some days than others. Still maintained out of the water. 10/11 Turtle died late yesterday evening from the effects of the red tide toxin.