The Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital Blog Has Moved!

The South Carolina Aquarium has a beautiful new website including a new blog! The new blog will have plenty of sea turtle updates and medical cases but will also have information on upcoming events and programs at the Aquarium. Be sure to check it out! When are on the homepage, click on the blog link to see all of the most recent posts. To refine your search to sea turtles, just click on Sea Turtle Rescue Program.

Thanks for being such dedicated readers of the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital blog!

An Update on "Huntington"



I was surprised to learn about the health problem of my favorite patient when I first started my internship with the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. She is a large loggerhead named Huntington and is recovering from an intestinal impaction caused by a dense mass of scallop shells, a natural prey item for loggerheads.



For those of you that remember when Huntington was admitted in May, she was positively buoyant (floating), thin, and lethargic. Loggerheads are known for their large heads and powerful jaws which they use to crush the hard shells of their prey. So how and why does one get harmed by shells? The answer remains a mystery.

Up until early August, Huntington couldn't dive below the surface of the water due to a large pocket of air trapped inside the intestines from the impaction. S/he floated with one side higher than the other due to the location of the impaction and the excess gas, which meant we had to keep her in only ~18 inches of water. If we filled her tank all the way up, she would have floated completely sideways!

Huntington passed the impaction thanks to various treatments including tube-feeding mineral and cod liver oils to lubricate the intestinal tract, as well as massage therapy, where we applied large vibrating massagers externally around the area of the impaction to stimulate movement. Because Huntington couldn't be fed during treatment for the impaction, regular fluids with dextrose were administered to keep her blood glucose at normal levels. These treatments occurred every 2-3 days for almost 6 weeks, quite a feat for a turtle that weighs 150 pounds!

Once the impaction passed, we were able to start feeding Huntington small amounts of food. This hungry loggerhead is now eating 4.5 pounds of food each day and is an amazing sight to see! She swims without any buoyancy problems, is very close to having a normal body weight and her blood work has greatly improved. She possesses a beautiful carapace beaming with its natural colors. This was an amazing recovery for me to watch and assist with, especially considering that this turtle likely would likely have died without our help. Watching these sick and injured sea turtles recover from illness or injury is the most rewarding part of my internship and I am looking forward to the day when Huntington is released back into the wild.



Romina Ramos
2013 Sea Turtle Rescue Program Intern

Three Sea Turtles Being Released Saturday, September 14th!

Three sea turtles from the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program are ready to return to the sea! One green sea turtle, Crosby, one Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Parker, and one loggerhead sea turtle, Skully, will be released at the Isle of Palms County Park at 10 a.m., this Saturday, September 14, 2013.

 

The release is being held in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources(SCDNR) and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission (CCPRC).  The public is invited to join the festivities and are encouraged to carpool, arrive early, and are reminded that parking fees apply at the county park.

 

More on the sea turtles being released:

 

Skully:

Skully, a 70-pound juvenile loggerhead was found by canoers stranded on a sandbar in Skull Inlet near Fripp Island in June.  When Skully was admitted to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, biologists discovered old wounds to his/her plastron which were inhabited by marine leeches; the turtle was also thin, lethargic, anemic, and dehydrated.  The leeches were flushed out of the wound, and supportive care was administered.  Skully is now back to optimal health and is ready for a return to the open ocean.

 

Skully

Parker:

Parker, a five-pound juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle, was accidentally caught by a recreational fisherman at the Myrtle Beach Pier in June of this year.  Upon admittance to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, Parker was emaciated, dehydrated, and had poor blood work.  Due to the location of the hook, the Aquarium's staff veterinarian removed it without surgery.  Treatment for Parker included injectable antibiotics and vitamins, fluids, and plenty of food to help him/her gain weight.  Three months after admission, Parker is healthy, strong, and swimming around the tank ready to head back home.

Parker

Crosby:

Crosby, a 9-pound juvenile green sea turtle was found floating near Crosby's Seafood on the Folly River in April of this year, the same night as the Aquarium's annual Conservation Gala.  Captain Gresh Megget of Absolute Reel Screamer Charters called SCDNR officials after noticing the little green sea turtle swimming erratically and covered in marine growth.  During Crosby's stay at the Sea Turtle Hospital, s/he received fluids and antibiotics, and minor carapace wounds were flushed and treated.  In May, Crosby's buoyancy improved and s/he began eating a diet of fish and fresh vegetables.  Now strong and healthy, Crosby is ready to return to the sea turtle population off the East Coast.

Crosby

We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone involved in the successful rehabilitation of these animals including rescuers, transporters, partner organizations, donors, volunteers, and staff - we could not do it without you!

Hope to see you all there!

Three Sea Turtles Being Released July 31st!

Three sea turtles have fully recovered from various illnesses and have been medically cleared at the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital. In partnership with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, Splinter, Raker and Sutton will be released on Wednesday, July 31st at 10am at the Isle of Palms County Park. The public is invited to attend. The releases are extremely well attended so it is important to arrive early (the County Park will open at 8:30 am for this event), carpool, and plan to pay for parking.

Splinter
Splinter was caught on board the SCDNR research vessel, the Lady Lisa off of Dewees Inlet with what appeared to be a wooden splinter through the right rear flipper. The splinter caused severe inflammation to the flipper, especially around the knee. Antibiotics and pain medications were administered. Surgery to remove the foreign body was performed soon after and revealed the splinter was the tip of a swordfish bill. We'll never know how the interaction occurred but are thrilled that Splinter made such a quick recovery!

Raker
This 8-pound green sea turtle was found on Myrtle Beach by the beach rakers that clean the beaches each morning. The went to great lengths to keep the sick turtle protected until help could arrive.  Raker's core body temperature upon arrival at the Aquarium was only 58 degrees Fahrenheit so s/he was kept in our temperature-controlled surgery suite to prevent her from warming up too quickly. He had a heart rate of only12 bpm and poor blood work. In addition, this turtle sustained has a shell infection and severe corneal abrasions on the eyes. Raker was in critical condition for several days.

 

 

Sutton

Sutton is one of eighteen cold stunned sea turtles transferred to the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital this past winter. Sutton originally cold-stunned around Cape Cod, MA and was initially treated by NEAq’s Marine Animal Rescue Team. In addition to hypothermia causing lethargy, dehydration and reduced heart rate, Sutton has many lesions on his/her body , the worst being around the nose. The lesions have healed, blood work improved, and our feisty Sutton is ready to go back into the ocean!

 



We would like to send a huge thank you to everyone involved in the successful rehabilitation of these animals including rescuers, transporters, partner organizations, donors, volunteers, and staff - we could not do it without you!

 

All the best,

Kelly Thorvalson

Nine Sea Turtles Admitted in the Last Month

Briar - 5/20/13

Briar was found stranded on Myrtle Beach in an extremely debilitated state. This lethargic, emaciated loggerhead was riddled with health problems and was in critical condition after being admitted. In addition to antibiotics, fluids, vitamins to address blood deficiencies, rescue staff have slowly increased her food intake and she has started putting on weight. A month after her admission, she is even eating live blue crabs!

Although Briar's right front flipper has an old injury and is slightly deformed, it does not stop her from having full use of the flipper for swimming and maneuvering around her holding pool. 

Splinter - 5/28/13

Splinter is a 65-lb loggerhead that was caught on board the SCDNR Research Vessel, the Lady Lisa, with a large "splinter" in the right rear flipper. Upon arrival at the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital, we were shocked to see that the huge foreign body entered at the knee and was deeply embedded in the tissue. The tissue surrounding the splinter was red and swollen and the injury could have ultimately caused big problems for the turtle.

 

What at first looked like a large piece of wood turned out to be the tip of a swordfish bill. We will never know how the swordfish and loggerhead interacted causing this impalement but are happy that we were able to remove the "splinter" before it caused more damage.

Huntington - 5/30/13
This large loggerhead was rescued by boaters just off Hunting Beach, SC. The turtle was floating at the surface of the ocean and tilting to one side. When the boat approached, the turtle was unable to dive. Luckily the boaters recognized that the turtle was in distress and got her into the boat for a trip to meet SCDNR volunteers and staff to be transported to the South Carolina Aquarium.

Air trapped in the body of a sea turtle is normally the cause of positive buoyancy, and most often the air is trapped in the intestinal tract by an impaction. Radiographs are very useful is diagnosing intestinal impactions.

It took no time at all to see the impaction on x-ray, as it is very radiodense (does not allow electromagnetic radiation to pass). When radiodense objects are found in the intestines of a sea turtle, they are usually shells of the prey the turtles have been eating. 

Treatments to move impactions through the intestines include tube feeding mineral/fish oil, fluids to help with hydration and hypoglycemia (since the turtle is unable to eat), enemas, and vibrating massage around the area of impaction. The photo below shows how the turtle floats in her holding pool.

King - 5/30/13
A juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle was caught by a recreational fisherman on the Myrtle Beach State Park fishing pier. SCDNR nest protection volunteers Mary Pringle (Isle of Palms) and Linda Mataya (North Myrtle - right) relayed the turtle to the South Carolina Aquarium.

Radiographs were taken to see the location of the hook and luckily it was in the upper portion of the esophagus. This particular hook removal surgery was very quick and did not require the turtle to be fully anesthetized, nor did the turtle have to go on antibiotics which is very rare for admissions. Hopefully this will be a quick rehab!

Parker - 6/10/13
The next admission was also a juvenile Kemp's ridley caught on hook and line from Myrtle Beach State Park. This turtle was very thin and had poor blood work, an indication that it was unhealthy and possibly scavenging for food at the pier. Hook removal surgery was a little more difficult as the hook was much deeper. Surgery was successful and the turtle is currently eating and doing well.

Skully - 6/18/13
This juvenile loggerhead was found by a Virginia sea turtle stranding volunteer who was visiting the Beaufort area. They were kayaking just off of Fripp Island and found the turtle stranded on a sandbar in Skull Inlet. Recognizing that this is not at all normal for a young sea turtle, the were able to get help from the Fripp Island turtlers to get the turtle to land.

In addition to being lethargic and thin, there is a wound on the plastron that could be causing the health issues. 

Miss Royal - 6/20/13
Once again, the SCDNR in-water research program caught a sea turtle in their trawl survey with injuries that if not treated, could cause big problems in time. Miss Royal (named after Port Royal Sound in Beaufort where the turtle was brought in for rescue) is an adult female loggerhead weighing approximately 215 pounds with two boat strike injuries in the carapace as well as a portion of the right rear flipper.

The silver on the wound is an aluminum water resistant spray-on bandage called Aluspray that adheres to the wound and provides a protective barrier under water.

NUD - 6/20/13

This loggerhead from the sound end of DeBordieu Beach is the most critical case in the hospital currently. The turtle is severely debilitated with a hematocrit level of 5.5%, total protein of 1.8 and no detectable blood glucose and is suffering from NUD, necrotic ulcerative disease of the skin. 

The margins of the carapace are soft and depressed (above) due to the calcium from the bone being absorbed. There are many necrotic ulcerations on the animal's soft tissue but one of the easiest to see on on photo (below) is the necrosis exposing the nuchal bone on the skull.

Upon admission the turtle received IV and subcutaneous fluids, vitamins, 2 different antibiotics, disinfecting skin treatment and is being kept in a shallow pool of water. 

Pluff - 6/20/13

This young loggerhead was found stuck in the marsh in Hilton Head Island. Affectionately named Pluff after the mud that is found in lowcountry marshes, the loggerhead was the third sea turtle stranding to be admitted to the Sea Turtle Hospital on Thursday. Pluff is suffering from severe hypoproteinemia (low blood protein) as well as anemia (low level of red blood cells). We are very used to seeing these levels low in sick sea turtles but the protein level is the lowest we have ever seen at 0.5. Antibiotics, vitamins and fluid therapy are included in the supportive care being given to Pluff.

 

 

When time permits, all of the patients will be added to the main Sea Turtle Hospital webpage and periodic updates will be provided. Thanks to everyone that is involved in the rescue of these sick and injured sea turtles, the volunteers that transport them, and the Sea Turtle Rescue volunteers, interns and staff that are always willing to come in after hours to help- there are far too many people involved to name here but we all know who you are!

Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

New Stranding Moves from Intensive Care Ward

The severely debilitated loggerhead admitted to the South Carolina Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital on May 20th was barely alive when it first arrived. The young adult sea turtle affectionately named "Briar" after the stranding location in Myrtle Beach, received intensive care for 5 days. This consistent, supportive care in a quiet out-of-the-way tank helped this turtle make it through the roughest part of rehab.



Shane and I prepared to transfer the turtle from the SCDNR truck.

Briar was so lethargic that she could not hold her head up during the transfer. Jenna Cormany of SCDNR helped to stabilize her head.

Dr. Boylan and crew moved Briar by elevator to the Animal Medical Facility on the Aquarium's first floor.

Emaciation and a heavy barnacle load are typical external signs of a severely debilitated sea turtle. The internal medical problems are much more numerous. 

In addition to being extremely sick, Briar has what looks like an old break in the front right flipper causing it to "hook".

Weights and measurements were taken and neck was "sterilized" with betadine to pull blood.

Once in the Animal Medical Facility, Briar received a basic health assessment which would guide Dr. Boylan's treatment plan. This assessment included obtaining a heart rate, evaluating blood work, a physical examination and getting weights and measurements. The heart rate was extremely low at 6 beats per minute and blood work was also extremely poor with a glucose of 1, hematocrit level of 7%, and total solids 2.9. These numbers validate what we thought when we first saw the turtle - the animal was barely alive.




The heart rate is obtained by dopplar, pressing the probe to the soft tissue between the head and neck.

Fluid therapy is an important part of supportive care given to the patients in our Sea Turtle Hospital. Briar received Hetastartch IV as well as 5% Dextrose and Normosol subcutaneously (photos above).



The video below was taken just after Briar was put in a tank of shallow water. 

Huge thanks to turtle rescuer, Brett and North Myrtle Beach turtle lady extraordinaire, Linda Mataya who drove the turtle to Georgetown, and to SCDNR for coordinating and finishing the transport. Also to our extraordinary staff, volunteers and interns that make up the Sea Turtle Rescue Team at the Aquarium. This turtle now has a good prognosis because of your efforts!

Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager