Mike
- Patient Status
- Released on May 9
- Date Found
- January 8, 2018
- Location Found
- Clearwater Municipal Marine, Pinellas County, FL
- Reason for Rescue
- Found floating; fibropapilloma tumors; missing right front flipper.
TRIAGE:
- Weight
- 1.99 kg (4.39 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 27.7 cm (10.9 in)
- Exam Findings
- Alert and responsive, thin body condition. Moderately sized fibropapilloma tumors on neck and tail. Missing right front flipper.
- Initial Treatment
- Received fluids, vitamins and antibiotics.
MIKE’S STORY:
On January 8, 2018, a juvenile green sea turtle was found floating in the Clearwater Municipal Marina in Pinellas County with suspected fibropapilloma tumors and missing its right front flipper. The public reported the turtle to Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Rescue Team, who picked up the turtle and brought it to CMA for triage and care.
Fibropapillomatosis is a virus that is most common in juvenile green sea turtles and is rarely seen in other sea turtle species. The virus causes cauliflower-like tumors to grow on the turtle’s soft tissues. This virus is very contagious so once a turtle with this virus comes into our facility, it is quarantined in our Intensive Care Unit. Although the cause of this virus is still unknown, you can help by keeping our oceans clean of trash and chemical pollutants.
- Naming Theme
- Phonetic Alphabet
- Did You Know?
- Although Mike is missing one of his flippers, he will still be able to survive in the wild.
TREATMENT UPDATES:
- 1.8.18
-
Ate food first time offered. Swimming full time.
- 1.29.18
-
Slowly increasing daily diet.
- 3.9.18
-
Surgical procedure performed to remove external fibropapilloma tumors, including ones that were on the eyes. Started on a daily eye drop regimen to help the eyes heal.
- 3.13.18
-
Discontinued antibiotics.
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-18-172.