Two New Patients Admitted into Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital

OLLIE

On Sunday, October 14th, a boater in the Folly River witnessed a small sea turtle being hit by the boat just ahead of him and was, fortunately, able to come to its rescue. Affectionately named Ollie from Folly, the 4.4 kg (~10 pound) endangered green sea turtle was transported by SC Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist, Charlotte Hope, and was quite subdued during transport and admission.

Treatment included pain medication, antibiotic and vitamin injections, fluid therapy, and wound flushing. The turtle was intubated because it was not breathing on its own for several hours. Although the turtle was left in dry dock the first two nights, s/he is now residing in a filtered tank with a low water level.

The boat strike fractured the skull from the nares (nostrils) to the mandible (upper jaw).

In addition to the fresh wounds on the anterior portion of the carapace, there are also several old wounds present on the posterior part of the shell and plastron.

A combination of severe injuries and pain medication slowed Ollie's breathing considerably. The turtle was intubated so staff could breath for him during admission.

Fluids were administered through a catheter in the axillary region of the body.

Ollie was left on a ventilator overnight because he wasn't breathing on his own.

NORTH ISLAND
On Friday, October 19th, a 44kg (~100 pound) loggerhead was captured in the net of a research vessel being operated by the SCDNR SEAMAP program just outside of North Island. The turtle sustained two puncture wounds from the barbs of stingrays that were caught in the same net and suffered severe blood loss as a result. Through the evening, the vessel made its way to Charleston, arriving at approximately 11pm. Needless to say, it was a late night for the rescue team!

Angry sea turtles don't like to stop moving, so it was a battle to get the bleeding stopped. Constant pressure was applied to the wounds (it was primarily the front flipper wound that kept bleeding). Because of blood loss, the turtle suffered from a very low PCV and blood protein; therefore, hetastarch fluids were administered IV. In addition, sodium chloride was administered subcutaneously and antibiotics and vitamins were given.


All attempts were made to keep the turtle quiet and to stop the bleeding from the wound on the ventral side of the front right flipper.



The barb wound to the ventral side of the right front flipper is indicated in this photo.

Wounds were examined and treated, blood taken, and supportive care given to the turtle.

Both turtles are now residing in filtered tanks in the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital. You can follow the progress of these patients and all the sea turtles being treated in our Sea Turtle Hospital here. Huge thanks to all involved in the rescue of these injured sea turtles and to Barbara Bergwerf for her neverending photographic support.

Kelly Thorvalson
Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager

Second sea turtle admitted in two days

On June 18^th, a 56-pound juvenile loggerhead sea turtle was caught near Bulls Bay by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) research vessel, the Lady Lisa. The Lady Lisa is one of two vessels used for the SCDNR In-water research program that assesses the health and population status of sea turtles along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts via trawling. The turtle suffered a minor wound to the soft tissues surrounding the eye from a stingray barb. Initial blood values analyzed on the boat were less than what we consider normal for a healthy sea turtle (packed cell volume=25%, total solids=1). Due to the puncture wound, poor blood values, and moderately heavy barnacle coverage, this loggerhead was transferred to our sea turtle hospital with help from the crew of the Lady Lisa and the Principle Investigator of the in-water program, Mike Arendt.

Mike Arendt and crew delivering "Bulls" at Ft. Johnson to SCA staff to be transported to the sea turtle hospital.

Dr. Shane Boylan drawing blood to check current blood values.

Close look of the puncture wound to the soft tissue surrounding Bulls' eye.

Dr. Shane Boylan checking Bulls' eye to rule out any damage potentially sustained from the barb.

After arriving at the hospital, “Bulls Bay” was examined by our veterinarian, Dr. Shane Boylan. Bulls’ prescribed treatment included antibiotics, fluids, and a fluorescein eye stain. Bulls was fortunate enough not to sustain any damage to the eye from the stingray barb. We will continue to monitor the wound and Bulls blood values, especially the white blood cell count which can become elevated from the venom released from the barb. Prognosis if very good and we are hoping for a quick recovery! You can monitor Bulls’ progress here or come see first-hand on one of our tours!

Whitney Daniel

Sea Turtle Biologist

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152-pound loggerhead admitted into South Carolina Aquarium

A 69 kg (152 lb) loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was captured on June 7 by the SC Department of Natural Resources In-Water Program as part of an ongoing health and population assessment of sea turtles in the Western Atlantic. The turtle was caught just north of the Charleston Channel and suffered puncture wounds from the barb of a stingray captured in the same net. Thanks to the quick response to the team aboard the Lady Lisa research vessel, the animal was taken to shore and transported to the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital where it could receive treatment and monitoring of the wounds.

 "Charlie" is a beautiful loggerhead with healthy body score, excellent blood values (PCV 38%, TS 4.0), and a tail length that suggests this animal may be a male moving into maturity. Test are being performed to measure the level of testosterone in the blood which should give a definitive gender identity.

A ceftazadime (antibiotic) injection was administered. Blood gas values showed a minor acidosis (moderate lactates at 7.43 mmol/L) which was treated with bicarb in subcutaneous fluids.

Radiographs show a variety of radiodense materials like crab parts and snail shells in the gastrointestinal tract.

The 4" stingray barb was embedded in the front left flipper at the joint and punctured the ventral side of the neck.

The wounds were flushed well with sterile saline.

After all medical treatments were administered, Charlie was taken down into the Sea Turtle Hospital where he met Dewees, another loggerhead undergoing rehabilitation.

Bloodwork will be closely followed to watch the white blood cell count which often swings after stingray barb venom is released in the animal's tissue. Wounds will be monitored for necrosing tissue as a result of the "sting". Hopefully the exceptional health of this turtle will aid in healing these wounds quickly!

Visit Charlie and the other patients at the Sea Turtle Hospital. Tour days and times are listed here. Hope to see you soon!
Kelly Thorvalson

A new Kemp's ridley patient - St. Catherine

A 26-pound Kemp's ridley sea turtle was transported to the Aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital by the SC Department of Natural Resources at 7am on Saturday morning. The turtle was captured on Friday by a DNR research vessel sampling near St. Catherine's Island, GA. A southern stingray barb punctured the skin and was broken and deeply embedded in the neck/shoulder region.

Above: The turtle presented with a puncture wound between the neck and shoulder.

Above: Sea Turtle Biologist, Christi Hughes, and intern, Megan Walsh, weighed and measured the turtle upon arrival.

Above: The neck and shoulder were very swollen due to the venomous nature of the stingray barb.

 

Above: Radiographs were taken to determine the exact location of the barb.

Above: With the turtle anesthetized, Dr. Shane Boylan assisted by several members of the Sea Turtle Rescue Team, surgically removed the barb.

Above: Once the barb was removed, the wound was stitched and the turtle was recovered from anesthesia.

St. Catherine recieved an injection of dexamethasone, a steroid primarily used as an anti-inflammatory, as well as fluid therapy on Saturday and Sunday. "She" is also on 2 antibiotics and pain medication. Because of her lethargic state after surgery, she was left in dry dock (out of water) until Monday morning. Hospital staff were pleased when the tank was filled with water and St. Catherine swam very well, without favoring the right flipper at all.

Thanks to the SCDNR SEAMAP crew for taking great care of the turtle until they could reach Charleston, to SCDNR Marine Turtle Conservation Program crew for responding and coordinating the rescue, and to our Sea Turtle Rescue Team that spends countless hours, day and night, holidays and weekends, providing top quality medical care to these animals. Go team!

Kelly