3/21/2010  This turtle arrived a few days ago, weak and floating at the surface.  Turtle has an old deformity to the carapace.  Bloodwork shows a very low glucose level and slight electrolyte abnormalities.  Hank is swimming well, and is able to rest on the bottom in shallow water.  Eating a few pieces of squid and shrimp, but appetite is variable. 3/27 Turtle's appetite is improving.  Still in relatively shallow water, as Hank appears to have difficulty regulating buoyancy in deeper water.  Able to spend most of his time resting on the bottom in shallow water.  Bloodwork is relatively unremarkable, but turtle remains on antibiotics. 4/2  Water level was raised today, and Hank is coping well.  The turtle still floats at times, but is able to swim relatively normally and rest on the bottom comfortably.  White blood cell count is still elevated, and Hank is not yet ready to discontinue all antibiotics.  4/15  Antibiotic has been changed, as Hank still has a high white count.  The turtle is in deeper water now, but still has some difficulty with buoyancy.  Tests last weekend indicate that Hank likely has a leak in one of his lungs, allowing air into the body cavity and causing him to float at the surface at times.  The turtle will need to be kept very calm and quiet to hopefully allow the lung to heal itself.  Hank can be a bit of a picky eater, but is generally eating pretty well.  5/3  Hank was struggling with buoyancy in the deeper water, so his water level was lowered and he seems much more comfortable.  Turtle went through a period of not eating well at all for a few days, but is now off antibiotics and appetite is improving.  The plan is to minimize stress and activity to allow the lung to heal.  5/23  Hank is doing well and eating almost all of his daily diet.  Water level has been raised slightly, and turtle is still able to rest on the bottom.  Hank will be moved into a larger and deeper rehabilitation tank this week to see how he does with buoyancy in a more natural situation. 6/8  Hank has been struggling with buoyancy in the deeper tank and has never been able to rest on the bottom.  Turtle was moved back into a standard rehab tank with shallow water to try to allow him to level out.  An attempt was made to remove air from within his body cavity, but no air was found.  We still do not know the reason behind his continuing buoyancy issues.  May consider trying weights to help correct the issue in the future.  Hank has been eating consistently and bloodwork remainds good. 6/22 Hank had a few days of poor eating while adjusting to his new tank but is now eating well and even foraging.  Hank has been able to remain flat on the bottom of the tank but still floats on occasion. 7/25 This animal is being evaluated for potential release.  There is a possibility that if his current condition does not improve, Hank will become a permanant resident at another facility. 9/7 Hank is being sent to another facility on the east coast of Florida sometime this month, as he has been deemed non-releasable by Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which manages endangered sea turtle populations in Florida. 11/10 Hank was transfered to a new home at the Florida Oceanic Society where there is a large lagoon that also houses other non-releaseable turtles. We wish him well in his new home!