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COQUINA
Loggerhead
Caretta caretta

Juvenile
Admitted
August 30, 2000		 Released
June 5, 2002
Weight:  33 kg 62.2 kg
SCL:  64.0 cm 70.4 cm
SCW: 54.5 cm 58.9 cm
THE STRANDING This turtle stranded near Coquina Beach, NC, 8/23/00, suffering from propeller wounds, and covered with barnacles, leeches, and lice.
First response was provided by Dr. Mary Burkart, supporting the turtle with fluids and antibiotics; removing the bulk of the ectoparasites; and debriding the head wound, which was severely contaminated with necrotic tissue, sand and dirt.
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THE TREATMENT On 8/29/00, Coquina was taken to the NC State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and was attended to by the 'Turtle Team", with Drs. Nick Sharp and Simon Roe in the lead.  The following is an account of their efforts.
_____

The turtle was placed under general anesthesia using ketamine/medetomidine, followed by intubation with an endotracheal tube and inhalation isoflurane anesthesia.

The severe laceration of the dorsal cranium extends across the dorsal surface of the skull and ends in the left lateral cervical area.  The wound contains necrotic bone and soft tissue as well as bone fragments.
 
 


CT imaging of the skull indicates the cranial vault appears compromised but the main part of the brain appears intact.  Cursory neurologic examination looks favorable.  Dr. Nick Sharp debrided and irrigated the head wound for about two hours, removing several bone fragments._____


 






The carapace & soft tissue wounds include:
Full-thickness crack in right carapace which contains sand, pieces of dead bone, and granulomatous tissue.  CT image also indicates consolidation of right lung, and undermining of the tissues beneath carapace; Deep laceration in the right elbow, with restricted range of motion; Full-thickness laceration of left neck area with exposed muscle and subcutaneous tissue. Dr. Simon Roe placed four surgical screws & wires to stabilize the carapace, and constructed 2 epoxy bridges to stabilize the skull.
After surgery the turtle was then transported to the KBSTRRC for further treatment and care.  This initial recovery care will include flushing the cranial wound twice a day and debriding the carapace wounds daily.
Antibiotics include Amikacin followed by Ceftazidime.
UPDATE 12/13/00 Time for a visit from Drs. Lewbart, Chittick and Harms, and students.
Coqina's wounds were flushed and repacked.  The healing of the cranial wound is fantastic.
UPDATE 1/24/01
<< Previous  Next >>
1. Prepare to remove bridge one
2. eye prep
3. Pam's steady hands work the Dremmel tool
4. Masks...
5. ...for all
6. Bridge one cut in half
7. Remove screw
8. Take a breather
9. Prepare for 2nd half
10. Locate screw #3
11. Epoxy bridge and all 4 screws removed
12. Piece of bridge with the screws
13. Screw holes
May  2001
July 2001 Everyday, after feeding, the water is drained from each tank, wiped clean, and the turtles receive a little scrub too.  Our summer interns are hard at work.
UPDATE JAN 2002
Lowered water level can mean
a bath and clean water or..

Initial blood work today: PVC 34%
..it can mean Lewbart & Co. 
(NC state U School of Veterinary Medicine) are out for blood.
Concentration key to success