Abstract
Sea turtles may present with fractures secondary to trauma, such as monofilament entanglement, boat strike, or predation. Fractures may also occur during handling, particularly in small green sea turtles.1 Many standard surgical treatments used in mammals have been attempted with varying degrees of success due to the limitations associated with the aquatic environment. Many factors may influence the ability to heal a fracture such as age, nutrition, and complication of open vs. closed fracture. Sea turtles have shown that with pool rest and minimal handling, they are very successful at fracture healing if given adequate time and nutrition.2
Long-term healing and post-release success is a concern when dealing with a rehabilitation sea turtle with fractured flippers. Complete fracture repair as determined by imaging evaluation would be ideal for release, but through thorough testing, an otherwise healthy sea turtle may be releasable if the fracture is stable and the flipper functional. Two sea turtles, one subadult Caretta caretta and one juvenile Eretmochelys imbricate, were diagnosed with humeral fractures. Both turtles exhibited fracture stability without radiographic evidence of healing despite months in rehabilitation. To evaluate function and mobility, both patients were placed in a larger and deeper pool for an extended period and monitored for signs of pain, lameness, swelling, or disuse. Given the length of time necessary for complete fracture repair, a functional flipper, defined as soft tissue fracture stability and a positive physical deep water test, may be important criteria for functional use prior to release in an otherwise healthy sea turtle.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the Clearwater Marine Aquarium sea turtle staff, interns, and volunteers for their assistance with these turtles.
* Presenting author
Literature Cited
1. Norton TM, Walsh MT. 2012. Sea turtle rehabilitation. In: Miller RE, Fowler ME, eds. Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders. 239–246.
2. Wyneken J, Mader DR, Weber III ES, Merigo C. 2006. Medical care of sea turtles. In: Mader DR, ed. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier. 972–1007.