Search
 
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
 
Mote Collage
ScienceEducationAquarium
spacer
Case Synopsis for Cuervo

aka St10162

Species: Green (Chelonia mydas)
Age Class: Juvenile
Gender: Female
Date Stranded: November 3, 2010
Location of Stranding: Homosassa area north end of St. Martin's Key
Date of Arrival: November 3, 2010
Number of Days of Care:
Final Disposition: Euthanized on Dec. 3, 2010

Comments/Disposition:

11/5 Cuervo arrived today at the Sea Turtle Hospital in fair condition. Fluids were adminstered and the turtle was placed in shallow water. In water, the turtle would list to the right side and lift its head at an angle, indicating a possible neck injury. X-rays did not show an obovious fracture. Cuervo did eat immediately. 11/12 Cuervo was taken for an MRI and the results showed there was no break in the neck but that the right lung was not fully inflating. This could be due to possible pneumonia. Lung cultures were takenand Cuervo has been placed on antibiotics. 11/19 The turtle underwent exploratory surgery today to see if it is suffering from internal tumors. No tumors were found, however we did find ovaries — indicating that Cuervo is female. (Since turtles don't carry external sexual organs, it can be difficult to determine sex until they're very mature.) 11/28 Cuervo still does not lift her head properly though she continues to eat and recieve anitbiotics daily. 12/3 Followup X-rays showed that Cuervo had a number of internal papillomas that could not be removed via surgery and that the best course of action would be to humanely euthanize the turtle.



Go Back | Send this page to a friend