Lemonhead
- Patient Status
- Released December 8, 2020
- Date Found
- October 20, 2020
- Location
- Pasco County
- Reason for Rescue
- Entanglement
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 6.74 kg (14.8 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 41.1 cm
- Exam Findings
- Active & ingested fishing line; Minor pap tumors present.
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins, anti-inflammatory medicine & fluids.
Lemonhead’s Story
Lemonhead is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found entangled in a braided line in Pasco County. The line was wrapped around the right front flipper and caused a minor injury. Lemonhead did ingest the line which can cause serious gastrointestinal issues. Our vet team was able to successfully remove the line, orally, after X-rays confirmed there was no hook. Lemonhead’s initial treatment includes fluids, anti-inflammatory and vitamin injections. It is important to remember to always properly dispose of your fishing gear!
Treatment Updates
- 10.24.20
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Lemonhead was offered a sample of fish, and ate all of it quickly! An official diet will be started tomorrow. We are continuing to do glucose checks and are giving fluids if needed.
We are also continuing to monitor Lemonhead’s swim time and are slowly increasing time out of the kiddie pool and into deep water!
- 10.27.20
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Lemonhead is continuing to do well and diet was increased. A CT scan was performed and no internal pap tumors were observed!
- 11.1.20
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Lemonhead is swimming well and is able to be in deep water all day and overnight!
- 11.7.20
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Lemonhead is continuing to improve and has been cleared to have surgery to remove pap tumors!
- 12.8.20
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Lemonhead was released at Fred Howard Park!
Learn more about Lemonhead’s release.
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.