Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Stranding Location: Sandwich, Massachusetts
Arrival Date: 1/11/2016
Age: Juvenile
Weight: 20.36 kg (45 lb.)
Case History
Sandwich marks the first patient to be admitted to the Sea Turtle Hospital (STH) in 2016! This juvenile loggerhead stranded in the town of Sandwich Massachusetts, on Sunday January 3rd, 2015. Minimally responsive, with a heart rate of only two beats per minute (BPM), and body temperature of 11.8° C (53.2° F) this turtle was admitted to the New England Aquarium (NEAq) as a prime example of being cold stunned. Cold stunning usually occurs when turtles are exposed to a quick and prolonged decrease in water temperature. Like the name suggests this usually causes the reptiles to float motionlessly on the surface before stranding on shore. If the turtle is in good body condition and health prior to cold stunning, rehabilitation will usually consist of warming the turtle up slowly, routine antibiotics, and supportive care. After a week of care at NEAq Sandwich was stable enough to be transported down the SCA via a private airplane on 1/11/16.
Treatment
Upon arrival to SCA Sandwich had a nice heart rate pf 30 bpm, radiographs were unremarkable, physical exam was normal, and blood values were within normal limits. Sandwich will continue to receive an injection of Oxytetracycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, every 6 days for the next few weeks. Prognosis is good.
Updates
12 January 2016: After having the night to settle into his/her new tank, we offered two pieces of fish this morning which were ravenously eaten. This healthy appetite and willingness to eat food is a great sign!
16 January 2016: Sandwich continues to eat great, and will finish his/her food in less than a couple minutes. We are currently offering 1% of his/her body weight (BW) of Mackerel, Salmon, and Smelt. This amount will slowly be increased to 3% BW over the next few weeks. We are hopeful that with a constant warm environment and supportive care that Sandwich will have a short stay at the Sea Turtle Hospital.
22 January 2016: Sandwich is continuing to be offered 1% BW of food until a fecal is produced. It is the job of the hospital staff and volunteers to diligently monitor and record this important information, especially for new patients like Sandwich, Chaz, and Quincy.
14 March 2016: We are extremely sad to report that Sandwich passed away on March 1st