Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Kermit

1/22/09 This green sea turtle was found in one of the intake pools at the Anclote Progress Energy Power Plant. It was floating, probable cold stun, with a head wound. It also had a few small papilloma tumors. Other than the head wound, he was robust and appeared to be in fairly good condition. He was admitted to CMA that day. Weight is 6.7 lbs. Kermit was given fluids for hydration and to maintain glucose levels. He was also given a round of vitamin injections and started on antibiotics. His head wound was cleaned and bandaged and he was brought in for x-rays and CT’s. Kermit is in “dry dock” over night.

1/23/09 Cleaned and redressed wound, gave more fluids for hydration, will stay in “dry dock” again.

1/24/09 Swam in water for ½ hour, offered capelin, Kermit ate one piece. Still “dry docked” overnight.

1/25/09 Kermit spent ½ hour in water and was offered food but did not eat. He was examined, and the wound was cleaned by one of the vets. She removed two small bone fragments from above the right eye. Over the next couple of days Kermit will continue to be “dry docked”, but will spend a little time in the water a few times a day and offered food.

1/27/09 Kermit is doing well, however is not eating yet so we will begin tube feeding 2 times a day. His weight is down to 6.0 lbs.

1/31/09 Kermit is still losing weight, 5.75 lbs. Increase his tube feedings to 3 times daily.

2/4/09 Kermit’s weight is holding at 5.75 lbs., he is spending more time swimming. This afternoon, before his last tube feeding he ate some capelin, squid and herring, approximately 1/8 lb.

2/5/09 Changed the bandage on Kermit’s head. Offered more 30-35 grams of food in morning and afternoon, he ate both feedings. Will keep a close eye on his feedings and try to increase them over the next few days.

2/11/09 Kermit is still doing well, he is now getting 45- 50 grams of food 2 times daily.

2/16/09 Kermit is now eating 60-65 grams at each feeding, his weight is up to 6.0 lbs. The vet examined head wound, removed small piece of dead bone. Did not rebandage, instead applied mixture of Ilex and antibiotic cream.

2/20/09 Weight 5.9 lbs., increase diet to 75 grams food twice daily. Kermit is now staying in the water over night.

2/27/09 The vet examined head wound and froze off Kermit’s papilloma tumors. No change in treatments.

3/6/09 Weight 6.75 lbs. Kermit is still doing great, no change in treatments.

3/30/09 Kermit is examined by the vet, head looks great however there is some tumor regrowth with a possible tumor on the carapace.

3/26/09 Kermit is eating well on own.

4/28/09 Tumor growth is progressing, plan to do tumor removal with laser and cryotherapy.

5/28/09 Kermit has papilloma tumors removed by laser with CMA vet staff.

6/14/09 Kermit is healing well from surgery, eating well, gaining weight, weight=10 pounds.

7/3/09 Noticed re-growth of papilloma tumors.

7/29/09 Second surgery using laser and liquid nitrogen to remove tumor growths. Woke up well from surgery, back in water that night.

8/11/09 Eating well, healing well from surgery.