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PATIENTS |
INDEX |
AND STAFF |
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ALBUM |
& SCOUTS |
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| piver | dare | pepper | bear | sharkey | avon | oakie | coquina | honey | hook |
| stacys | kiawah | baldy | bay | isle |
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Loggerhead
(Caretta caretta) Juvenile |
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| THE
STRANDING
Stranding Date: 11/01/98 |
This juvenile loggerhead was found near Pivers Island, NC, suffering from six full-thickness lacerations of the left carapace. The injuries are consistent with boat propeller wounds. |
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click on image to watch Piver swim
(about 15 seconds, very slow download)  |
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| 12/15/98 | 4/15/99 |
| THE TREATMENT | Initial fluids and care were administered by Ruth
Boettcher, NC State Sea Turtle Coordinator. Next the sea turtle was
transported to the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Evaluation at the CVM indicated severe wounds of the carapace, exposing the lung and underlying tissues. Also a small puncture of the left lung. The lacerations were opened by Dr. Bakal and flushed with saline. Bone fragments and other debris were removed. Several sets of surgical screws and wires were also applied to stabilize the fracture sites. |
| THE PROGNOSIS | Initially at the KBSTRRC lactated ringers solution, as well as antibiotics amikacin and clindamycin were administered. She has been placed in shallow water. The wounds will be checked, cleaned and dressed every few days. The College of Veterinary Medicine would like to re-evaluate the wounds in six to eight weeks. The wound will be cleaned and bandage changed once a week. |
| THE PROGRESS | For five months Piver was patiently hand/force fed. A great strain for turtle and human alike. On Easter Sunday Piver moved from almost voluntary eating to taking the food on her own. This is a major step in her recovery and a great joy for the staff. |
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| UPDATE 6/2/99 | Doctors and students from the NC State University
College of Veterinary
Medicine visited today and examined Piver. They found the carapace lacerations to be healing. 
Several large pieces of necrotic bone ere removed. One large piece of necrotic bone has been left for carapace support.  |
| STATS 6/2/99 | Straight Carapace Length: 62.9 cm
Curved Carapace Length: 70.2 cm
Straight Carapace Width: 54.2 cm Curved Carapace Width 69.0 cm Weight: 40.4 kg PCV: 22% Glucose: 170 |
| HEALING
MONTHS
DECEMBER 1999 |
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| JANUARY 2000 |  |
| FEBRUAY 2000 |  |
| May 2001 |
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| SEPT 2001 | Finally, during the summer of 2001, Piver was moved
to the outdoor, pre-release area. The algae growth darkened her shell
and the wounds.
She will be among the lucky ten (or so) scheduled for an October release, after enduring 2 years and 11 months in rehab. YEA!  |
