This turtle was found floating about one-half mile off of Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, FL. The turtle was floating with its rear end up into the air and was having difficulty getting its head above the water to breathe. It is in good shape, otherwise, with little weight loss and very few barnacles present. 7/21 There was much air in the coelomic cavity on admission, but that now seems to be less. X-rays of chest indicated a problem with the left lung and a possible mass in the area of the left lung. A bronchoscopy was performed and a biopsy and culture was obtained. Results are pending. Have begun tubing the turtle to get fluids into it. Will perform gastroscopy tomorrow to examing esophagus and stomach. 7/25 Nothing abnormal could be found with the esophagus and stomach, but still air in the coelomic cavity. Removed a large amount yesterday and again this morning, but found that it would fill back up with air when the turtle breathed. This indicates that there is a hole in the lung that is leaking into the coelomic cavity. This is a very bad sign with a poor prognosis. 7/28 Turtle is hanging in there. We are feeding him gruel via stomach tube. Seems a little stronger today. 7/29 Turtle crashed this morning and had to be euthanized. Necropsy revealed an old abscess outside the esophagus that was untreatable and severe pathology in the lungs.

View of head