Green (Chelonia mydas)

Stranding Location: Mingo Point on Kiawah Island, SC

Arrival Date: 06/11/2009

Age: juvenile

Weight: 8 kg (~ 18 lbs)

Case History

Mingo was found floating in a creek off Mingo Point. This turtle is very thin, has a moderate barnacle load, and is severely dehydrated.

Treatment

Mingo is receiving daily fluids, antibiotics, and vitamin injections. Radiographs taken today show the air is intestinal and a blockage is possible. Supportive therapy will continue in hopes that Mingo will eat on her own soon. If s/he continues to fast, we will begin tube-feeding next week.

Updates

6 July 2009: Mingo is doing very well. We started to see gut movement (fecals) as a result of fluids administered and Mingo is able to sink to the bottom of the tank. Although this turtle is passing fecal material, radiographs were taken several times over the week and the blockage would not move. A barium study was conducted to discover whether or not the barium could move past the blockage and the results were positive. After the barium study, staff felt confident enough to tube-feed a fish gruel containing mineral oil. After 4 days of mineral oil-based feedings, radiographs show that the blockage is indeed working it’s way out of the GI tract. This is great news and only made possible by the new digital radiograph machine we have on site!

24 August 2009: We took blood on both Hilton and Mingo to see if they are ready for release -Hilton passed but unfortunately Mingo did not. We need to do some work to get Mingo’s calcium level up before we will be able to release him.

19 January 2009: Mingo continues to charm hospital visitors with his “eyelashes” and beautiful carapace. S/he is doing well and his diet is being carefully monitored with the goal of maintaining blood work values conducive to his release this spring.

Release Date

05/01/2010

Release Location

Isle of Palms County Park, SC