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Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
Stranding Location: Cape Cod, MA
Arrival Date: 12/15/23
Age: Juvenile
Sex: Unknown
Weight: 6.41 kg (14.13 lbs)
Case History
This turtle is one of many that stranded up in the New England area due to cold stunning. New England Aquarium (NEAQ) treats hundreds of sea turtles during a just few months throughout the winter. This year we were able to take five of these turtles to help lighten their load, at least a little. This turtle originally stranded in Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 1, 2023. We coordinated with NEAQ, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the non-profit organization Turtles Fly Too to transfer these patients to the Aquarium. Pilot Andy Davidson and his wife Karie flew Monterey Jack, and the others, to Charleston on December 15!
Treatment
Monterey Jack was active and stable with a good heart rate and a healthy body temperature upon examination with our vet staff. The turtle’s overall physical condition looked decent with only a small ulcer on the left eye and a superficial abrasion towards the end of the carapace. Medical records from the NEAQ indicated that the turtle has mild pneumonia and our vet staff scheduled a CT scan to visualize the extent of it. Blood work was taken and it looked fairly good overall, followed by administering fluids, vitamins and antibiotics. Lastly, an ultrasound was done to look at the motility of the gut and make sure the GI tract was moving properly. After the medical exam was complete, Monterey Jack was approved for a swim test in a full tank of water.
Monterey Jack did great during the swim test! The little turtle showed full range of motion in all four flippers and swam levelly in the water column. After the initial first breath, Monterey Jack calmed down and swam along the tank bottom. By the end of the day, the patient was comfortably resting and able to stay in the full tank overnight!
Updates
December 20, 2023: Monterey Jack was active and alert the in the days following admit. A couple of pieces of fish were offered and this little loggerhead ate them up right away! Monterey Jack is settling into his/her new environment very well.
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