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Case Synopsis for Kemp's ridley H
aka 99-760LK
Species: Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
Age Class: Juvenile
Gender: Female
Date Stranded: December 16, 1999
Location of Stranding: Cape Cod, MA
Date of Arrival: December 11, 1999
Number of Days of Care: 95
Final Disposition: Died March 14, 2000
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Comments/Disposition:
This turtle was part of a mass stranding of 277 turtles in the winter of 1999-2000 at Cape Cod. This turtle was treated for pneumonia, intestinal protozoa, bacterial enteritis, and skin lesions. This turtle was treated for 95 days but failed to respond and died. The necropsy revealed fungal pneumonia, fungal nephritis, granulomas in liver and body wall, and the turtle was determined to be female.
Gender determined during necropsy.
Lessons: (applicable to Kemps A-K)
1. Piperacillin was effective in controlling pseudomonad infections.
2. Itraconazole worked in 9 of 11 turtles to control fungal infections.
3. Cold stunning may affect the immune system of affected turtles of up to 9-10 months.
4. Fungal infections may not affect the white counts in turtles.
5. Uric acid was best indicator of kidney failure.
6. The antibiotic grepofloxacin caused a total loss of appetite.
7. Unusual erythrocytic inclusions in Turtle H may be viral in origin but requires further study.
Dorsak view
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