Kit
- Patient Status
- Former
- Date Found
- January 29, 2021
- Location
- Mandalay Channel; Pinellas County
- Reason for Rescue
- Found floating; lethargic
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 3.67 kg (8.07 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 34.9 cm
- Exam Findings
- Lethargic but responsive & underweight. Thick amount of algae coverage on carapace.
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins, antibiotics & fluids.
Kit’s Story
Kit is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating in the inter-coastal waterway in Pinellas County on January 29, 2021. Upon intake, he was underweight with a large amount of algae coverage on his carapace (shell). He also has fibropapilloma tumors (pap tumors) on both eyes. His initial treatment consists of vitamin injections, antibiotics, and fluids.
Treatment Updates
- 2.2.21
-
Kit was placed in water for a swim test. Due to his lethargy and floating, he was placed in a kiddie pool to help him achieve good breaths. We will continue to increase his swim time as he improves!
We are continuing to do glucose checks and give fluids if needed.
- 2.7.21
-
Kit is able to be in a kiddie pool all day and overnight.
He has started to show interest in food!
- 2.11.21
-
Kit is able to be in deep water all day and overnight!
He is continuing to eat well, and his diet has been increased!
- 3.11.21
-
Kit was cleared to have pap tumor removal surgery. During surgery, his eyes were also assessed. It was determined that the right eye was no longer functional due to a pap tumor infiltrating the eye, and the best treatment was to remove the right eye completely. All other tumors were also successfully removed, and the surgery went well!
Over the next few weeks, we will be monitoring the surgical sites for healing and regrowth.
- 3.14.21
-
Kit is recovering well from surgery. Showing no issues with diving, swimming, or eating!
- 4.8.21
-
Kit’s surgical sites are healing well. He is continuing to improve and is gaining weight!
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-172.