aaaVeee
aaaVeee (RB.LO.086), juvenile Olive Ridley turtle, found 23-Aug-16, Dhaalu Maldives
aaaVeee arrived at our turtle rescue center severely dehydrated, with a prolapsed cloaca, body-wide edema and a previously amputated right front flipper. All these symptoms indicate aaaVeee had most likely been floating for a period of time without proper nutrition. Additionally, the blood glucose level was undetectable and required immediate supplementation using Dextrose injections.
aaaVeee has not begun to eat nor show interest in food. aaaVeee is treated daily for and the prevention of pool abrasions, prolapsed cloaca with honey wraps, gut stimulants and monitored for blood glucose level. The turtle’s blood glucose has improved into the normal range with Reptile Ringer Solution. This will need to be monitored daily and treatment adjusted for until aaaVeee begins to eat regularly.
aaaVeee is receiving daily fluids to help maintain hydration and blood glucose, antibiotics and wound care for existing pool injuries. Although we are currently supplementing aaaVeee with fluids, the turtle continues to lose weight due to lack of calories and nutrition so aaaVeee will need to be tube fed to prevent further deterioration.
Updates October 2016
Although we are currently supplementing aaaVeee with fluids, the turtle continues to lose weight due to lack of calories and nutrition. As it has now been a considerable amount of time, aaaVeee will need to be tube fed to prevent further deterioration. After one tube feeding, aaaVeee began to take some interest in food.
Updates November 2016
aaaVeee now eats more and has begun to gain weight.
February 2017
Aaavee has continued to become more comfortable around our team, and loves shell scratches throughout the day. In her last few months she has gained a very healthy appetite, and now weighs in at a very healthy 22kg. Aaavee eats anything offered to her, especially her favourite … lobster. She has developed a very ‘cheeky’ personality, often swimming over to scavenge for even more food from the meals of other turtles.
Unfortunately, she has made little progress in her ability to dive, despite trying very hard. It is likely she will become a permanent resident at our centre, so in the coming months we will need to start the process of finding her a permanent home in an overseas aquarium or zoo.
May 2017 – Current length: 55.5cm; current weight: 22.2kg
Three treatment sessions were conducted on Aaavee in May, to remove any free air from her body cavity. Approximately 2000cc of air was removed, however there was no improvement made in her buoyancy or diving ability.
August – October 2017
Aaavee continues to be very active, and has been gaining weight and increasing in size. She still suffers from buoyancy problems, and has been administered with Beano and Gasx, with no progress so far. We are starting to look into new procedures for rehabilitation.
Updates November 2017
Sadly, Aavee died on 3 November, after spending more than a year at our Centre.
Aavee had been transferred from Kuda Huraa to Landaa Giraavaru (together with Sweetie and Thakuru) on 29 October. She was refusing food, so we attempted force-feeding by putting food straight in her oesophagus, but she had big difficulties in swallowing. In general, she was not very reactive and clearly not in good health.
The necropsy revealed a lung emphysema and a possible liver anomaly, but we could not exactly determine the cause for her death.
