Turtle on arrival at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.

2/17 Turtle was found floating today by Scott Haskell near Ft. DeSoto Park.  Turtle has a few fibropapilloma tumors, including on both eyes (NOT blind), and is extremely underweight, lethargic, and poorly responsive. 2/18 Radiographs were taken this morning and there is no evidence of internal tumors.  Turtle was started on antibiotics and fluids.  Prognosis is very guarded, but with turtles, anything is possible. 2/25 After several days of force-feeding, the turtle has begun to eat on its own.  This is a very good sign. 2/28 Appetite is improving daily and the turtle is now in deep water.  Looks like it may survive. 3/4 Turtle is continuing to improve. 3/13 Turtle continues to eat well and is responding to treatment.  We are hoping to do an MRI in the next couple of weeks to determine if internal tumors are present.  If not, we will move ahead with plans to remove the external tumors. 3/24 Turtle is gaining weight and doing well. 4/8 Turtle is finally getting stronger.  Planning MRI this weekend. 4/12 MRI today revealed no internal tumors, but did reveal what appears to be an internal abscess with possibly a fishing hook in it.  Will likely require surgery for removal. 4/30 Had laser surgery for removal of external tumors.  Surgery went very well, although the turtle's recovery from anesthesia was slow. 5/17 Recovering well and surgical sites are healing well.  Appetite is great. 5/30 Tumors have regrown on both eyes, so the turtle had laser surgery again this morning.  Recovery from anesthesia was much quicker this time. 6/20 Turtle is not doing well.  Appears now to have a large internal tumor.  May have to do exploratory surgery soon. 6/22 Exploratory laparoscopy revealed multiple internal tumors, especially in the kidneys, so euthanasia was performed.  Necropsy confirmed tumors in both kidneys, lungs, stomach, and large blood vessels.