How many biologists does it take to treat a loggerhead?
At least twice a week we bring out Acadia, the loggerhead sea turtle, for treatments. She has some superficial skin lesions on her leading edge of the front flippers. This is often seen in cold-stunned sea turtles after they are returned to their proper temperature.
Acadia as she is removed from her rehabilitation tank for treatment.
Some of the skin sloughed off and under microscopic examination we noticed some bacterial rods, this finding prompting the veterinarians to start her on an antibiotic. Her blood work also still shows some minor anemia so we also have been giving her a shot of iron as well.
You can see the sloughing on the leading edge of the front flipper (L). Bacterial rods under microscopy(R).
Unlike the smaller sea turtles we normally admit to our sea turtle clinic, ones that are easily handled by one person, Acadia requires a team. I am told eight is the optimal number but we can get by with five in a pinch. Below are some pictures of us removing her from her tank for a treatment.
In the pool you can see me instructing one of our great volunteers Sarah on how we will coral Acadia and get her out of the pool, while Charlie is waiting on the deck with the "dry" team to receive the turtle (left). Kerry gives Acadia one of her shots (right).
She usually soaks us with her front flippers!
Putting her back in is not as hard as getting her out!
Acadia as she is removed from her rehabilitation tank for treatment.
Some of the skin sloughed off and under microscopic examination we noticed some bacterial rods, this finding prompting the veterinarians to start her on an antibiotic. Her blood work also still shows some minor anemia so we also have been giving her a shot of iron as well.
You can see the sloughing on the leading edge of the front flipper (L). Bacterial rods under microscopy(R).
Unlike the smaller sea turtles we normally admit to our sea turtle clinic, ones that are easily handled by one person, Acadia requires a team. I am told eight is the optimal number but we can get by with five in a pinch. Below are some pictures of us removing her from her tank for a treatment.
In the pool you can see me instructing one of our great volunteers Sarah on how we will coral Acadia and get her out of the pool, while Charlie is waiting on the deck with the "dry" team to receive the turtle (left). Kerry gives Acadia one of her shots (right).
Putting her back in is not as hard as getting her out!
Labels: Acadia, cold-stun, lesions, loggerhead
posted by Adam at
10:40 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Guys:
She looks great. Three cheers for the NE Aquarium Rescue and Rehab Team. You guys are great.
We'll be up in Boston on Saturday. Maybe we will stop by for a visit.
JT
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