Skittles
- Patient Status
- Former
- Date Found
- November 27, 2020
- Location
- Homosassa; Citrus County
- Reason for Rescue
- Found Floating
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 5.68 kg (12.5 lbs)
- SCL (Straight Carapace Length)
- 37.5 cm
- Exam Findings
- Quiet but responsive; Heavy pap tumor load.
- Initial Treatment
- Received vitamins, antibiotics & fluids.
Skittles’ Story
Skittles is juvenile, green sea turtle who was found floating near Homosassa in Citrus County on November 27, 2020. At intake, it was observed that she has a minor carapace (shell) deformity from a previous injury and a heavy load of fibropapilloma (pap) tumors. Her initial treatment includes vitamin injections, antibiotics, and fluids.
Treatment Updates
- 11.30.20
-
Skittles was placed in water for a few hours for a swim test. Due to her lethargy, she was placed in a kiddie pool to help her achieve good breaths. We will continue to increase her swim time as she improves!
We are continuing to do glucose checks and give fluids if needed.
- 12.2.20
-
She is continuing to improve in water. We are slowly increasing her deep water swim time outside of the kiddie pool.
- 12.3.20
-
Skittles went for a routine CT scan. No obvious internal tumors were seen!
The CT did reveal an injury to her spine which is related to her carapace deformity. We are continuing to monitor her appetite.
- 12.7.20
-
Skittles is able to be in deep water all day and overnight and is resting on the bottom! She is also eating and starting officially on a diet tomorrow and oral medications.
- 12.31.20
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Skittles is continuing to eat well and is gaining weight!
- 1.21.21
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Skittles’ oral medications were adjusted based on recent lab-work.
Skittles is continuing to eat well and loves greens that are offered!
- 3.4.21
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Skittles went for a routine recheck CT, which was required before being cleared for pap tumor removal surgery. Unfortunately Skittles had developed internal pap tumors and was humanely euthanized.
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.