Abstract
Sea turtles are considered to be threatened or endangered and are
protected by various conventions worldwide. The 'Madeira Marine Turtles Project', at University
of Madeira, accepts injured sea turtles delivered by fishermen, tourism boats or captured by the
Project's routine work out in the sea. From 1994 to 2001 about 8,5 % of the turtles received
needed medical care. In 2001 seven of the eight turtles received were victims of entanglement in
fishing gear. Two loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) presented severe injuries on the
right front flipper caused by entanglement in ropes and monofilament lines which constricted the
blood supply and resulted in tissue necrosis. The turtles were also underweight.
In the first case amputation was the only option due to irreversible lost of
tissues, resulting in phalangeal and metacarpal exposition. On the second turtle tissue recovery
was attempted before deciding for amputation. Antibiotic therapy used was a twice-daily topical
application of bacitracine and enrofloxacin injected intramuscularly in the opposite front
flipper. A lamp was used to warm up the area in order to facilitate bacitracine absorption.
After three weeks flipper condition deteriorated with extended necrosis and septicaemia danger
and once more we opted for amputation.
In both cases, radiographs showed a fracture on the humerus diaphysis.
Surgery was performed in 'Vetmédis', a private pet clinic. Inhalant anesthesia with
isoflurane was used for inducing and maintaining anesthesia, delivered via a closed circuit
system. Nitrous oxide-oxygen was used before adding the volatile gas. Also a field block with
infiltrated 2% lidocaine was applied. Fore flipper was removed via the scapulo-humeral
disarticulation.
Turtles were kept for 4-5 weeks at Marine Biology Station of Funchal, for
recovery. They were kept in dry containers to facilitate scar healing. Sea turtles do not eat
out of water thus a sterile 5% glucose solution was administrated via intracoelomic route, at a
rate of 20 ml/kg/24h. A light coating of Vaseline-like ointment was used to avoid drying of the
shell and skin.
The same antibiotic therapy used before surgery was applied to both turtles
during the post-operatory period. After 4 weeks the turtles were placed in seawater tanks to
test for buoyancy anomalies. While in the tanks they were fed with Chub mackerel (Scomber
japonicus).
In spite the lack of the right front flipper turtles were not heavily
impaired. In fact since 1994 the Project team captured several turtles that were missing one of
the flippers, in healthy conditions. Turtles were released after their 5th week, as soon as they
recovered weight.
The recovery of injured wildlife is not common in Madeira due to the absence
of facilities and specialized veterinarians. To our knowledge this was the first time a surgical
procedure was performed upon a wild animal and was only possible due to collaboration between
the 'Marine Turtles Project' and 'Vetmédis'.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank to Afonso Rocha and José Barradas (Univ. of
Madeira staff) and to all the people who cooperated with the Project, fishermen and others.