Quince

Initial Assessment

Quince

Green, Juvenile (Chelonia mydas)

Patient Status: Released
Date Found: March 11, 2025

Location: Belleair Beach; Pinellas County

Reason for Rescue: washed ashore

Weight: 2.71 kg (5.96 lbs)
SCL (Straight Carapace Length): 31.8 cm
Exam Findings: Lethargic. Very thin body condition. Covered in mud and sand. Minor load of fibropapilloma tumors. Tumors present on right eye.
Initial Treatment: fluids, vitamin injections, and antibiotics.

Quince

Quince is a juvenile, green sea turtle who was found washed ashore on Belleair Beach on March 11. Quince was very lethargic and thin at intake examination with a small load of fibropapilloma tumors present.

INTERESTING FACT: Naming theme: Trees!

Treatment Updates

3.13.25: – Quince is very lethargic in water. They were placed in a shallow kiddie pool due to behavior. We will gradually increase over the next few days as they improve.
3.19.25: – Quince is able to be in a kiddie pool all day and overnight. They are continuing on daily fluid therapy and antibiotics. Their CT scan showed no obvious internal tumors.
3.27.25: – Quince is starting to show interest in food! We have been doing daily deep water time, and they have been doing well!
4.8.25: – Quince is continuing to eat well. They are currently on oral antibiotics based on labwork. They are still thin but continuing to gain!
5.30.25: – Quince is continuing to do well and is ready for surgery to remove the FP tumor on their eye!
6.10.25: Quince underwent surgery to remove the FP tumors from their eye. They are recovering well.
7.9.25: Quince’s eyes have healed well after surgery. They were successfully released on Indian Rocks Beach!

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-25/26-172.