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Blog & News

Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Nerds

Releases Released Animals Updated March 10, 2021 Posted November 3, 2020

green sea turtle Nerds

Nerds

Juvenile, Green (Chelonia mydas)
green sea turtle Nerds
Patient Status
Released March 10, 2021
Date Found
October 24, 2020
Location
Pasco County
Reason for Rescue
Entanglement

Initial Assessment

Weight
5.08 kg (11.2 lbs)
SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
35.1 cm
Exam Findings
Active & ingested fishing line; Minor pap tumors present.
Initial Treatment
Received vitamins, anti-inflammatory medicine & fluids.

Nerds’ Story

Nerds is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found entangled in a fishing line in Pasco County. The fishing line was initially wrapped around Nerds’ neck. Nerds also ingested 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. Nerds’ initial treatment includes fluids, anti-inflammatory and vitamin injections. It is important to remember to always properly dispose of your fishing gear!

fishing line removed from Nerds
Fishing line removed from Nerds.

Treatment Updates

10.27.20

Nerds 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 Nerds’ swim time and are slowly increasing the time out of the kiddie pool and into deep water!

10.31.20

Nerds is eating great, and was given a diet increase! Nerds is also able to be in deep water all day and overnight and is resting on the bottom!

11.3.20

Continuing to do well. Diet was increased. A CT scan was performed and no internal pap tumors were observed!

11.7.20

Nerds is continuing to improve and eat well! Diet was increased.

11.20.20

Nerds is improving and has been cleared to have surgery to remove his pap tumors!

11.24.20

Nerds was placed under general anesthesia and all of his pap tumors were successfully removed with our CO2 laser. He is recovering well! We will be monitoring the surgical sites for healing and tumor regrowth over the next few weeks.

12.17.20

Nerds’ surgical sites are healing well!

1.21.21

His medications were adjusted based on recent lab-work. We will recheck lab-work next week to see progress.

Nerds is continuing to do well!

3.10.21

Nerds was released at Fred Howard Park!

Learn more about Nerds’ 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.

Previous Post: Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Lemonhead
Next Post: Sea Turtle Hospital Patient – Oh Henry
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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