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Blog & News

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Kit

Former Patients Updated April 14, 2021 Posted February 24, 2021

green sea turtle kit

Kit

Juvenile, Green (Chelonia mydas)
green sea turtle 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.

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Clearwater, FL 33767
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