Baby Sarah

Arrival Date: April 20, 2024

Patient Profile

Name: Baby Sarah

Species: Green Sea Turtle

Weight: 6 pounds

Reason for visit: Fibropapillomatosis (FP) and Lethargic

Location Found: Hawks Cay on Duck Key, FL

Status Report

04/20/24: Found near Hawks Cay on Duck Key, Baby Sarah is a young Green Sea turtle. Good samaritain

saw Baby Sarah floating near the surface of the water covered in algae and other plant life. The Turtle Hospital Rescue team arrived on scene and discovered Baby Sarah had Fibropapillomatosis (FP) tumors on her abdomen as well. Further exam and intake diagnostics were performed at the hospital to begin the road to recovery for Baby Sarah. 

05/21/11: It has been just over a month since Baby Sarah arrived at the Turtle Hospital, and while Baby Sarah is still quite critical she is staying strong and adjusting well to the rehab team’s supportive treatments. Baby Sarah has been noted as tender in her personality and enjoys being hand fed by her rehab team. We look forward to seeing more improvements from Baby Sarah. Make sure to come say hello to cheer her on during your visit to the Turtle Hospital.

06/21/24: We had some new arrivals at The Turtle Hospital this month, so Baby Sarah has been relocated to a small tank near Tater & Tot our ambassador sea turtles. Baby Sarah has been eating great these days and enjoys being hand fed by her rehab team. Her current favorite food is squid. We are glad she’s been eating so well to keep her energy up as she is to undergo some of her final Fibropapillomatosis (FP) tumor removal surgeries in the coming days. She is also on the list of patients to be seen by Dr. Brooke Burkhalter. A veterinarian specializing in internal medicine and skilled in the care of sea turtles. Dr. Burkhalter is the lead veterinarian at the University of Florida within their sea turtle hospital department. This week she will use her skills to help remove these uncomfortable masses around her eyes.

Farewell

Many of our turtles’ journeys here at The Turtle Hospital begin and end in different ways. Our rescue and rehab staff provide the utmost care and spare no expense in their attempts to save any and every sea turtle. During a recent CT scan, our team unfortunately learned the Fibropapillomatosis (FP) disease has now spread internally for Baby Sarah. Due to Baby Sarah’s already heavy tumor load her prognosis was poor. Our medical team made the hard decision to euthanize Baby Sarah. While we are sadden for the loss of any turtle we care for, we are thankful she is at peace back in the eternal sea.

04/20/24 – 06/23/24

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