THE  STRANDING	Caught by a fisherman (incidentally) in Avon, NC, with a fishing rod and squid bait. He saw the injury and notified NPS and NEST. The turtle was treated initially at the Roanoke Island Animal Clinic. Radiographs reveal a fractured pelvis and a fractured left tibia.
THE TREATMENT 7/12/00	The turtle was alert and responsive when examined at the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  The large fracture is about 15 cm long, parallel to the spine.  There appears to be damage to the nerve supply to the left rear flipper.  There is no limb movement but blood supply to the flipper is still present. Blood work shows PCV 12%. B-complex vitamins were administered.
	After the exam the turtle was transported to the KBSTRRC by asst. state sea turtle coordinator Candice Williams. Here the deep wound was packed with silvadene and gauze. To prevent the gauze from migrating into the body cavity, velcro was placed along the injury, and the top ends of gauze fixed to the velcro square. Strips of velcro then hold the dressing in place.
	After the dressing and administration of antibiotics the turtle was placed in shallow water and offered food, which she readily accepted. Meet Avon face to face click for 4 sec clip worth the wait.
May 2001	Before long Avon was placed in a regular tank where she was able to submerge. The wound is healing but the left rear flipper is unused and is held in a vertical position. Avon receives physical therapy.
Sept 2001 Scutes up close	View from rear shows                   Close-up                             View from side           position of un-used flipper                  flipper nail curves            No it isn't, it's a compression roll. Ready to go

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