Necropsy reports for 28 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died between 2001 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Gross and microscopic lesions were compiled to describe the pathologic and parasitologic findings in turtles that were found freshly dead on the beach or that died within 48 hr of stranding. Anatomic lesions of varying severity were identified in each of the examined turtles and were identified in tissues of the alimentary, respiratory, integumentary, nervous and sensory, and urogenital systems in order of decreasing frequency. Necrotizing enterocolitis and bacterial or fungal pneumonia were the most frequently encountered lesions that were considered clinically significant. Parasites and parasitic lesions were identified primarily in tissues of the alimentary system and included intestinal cestodiasis and parasitic granulomas containing larval cestodes or nematodes. Postlarval cestodes were also found in the coelom of two turtles. In many cases, the extent and severity of lesions were judged to be insufficient to have solely caused mortality, suggesting that additional factors such as metabolic, respiratory, and electrolyte derangements; hypothermia; and drowning may be important proximate causes of death in cold-stunned turtles. Results of this study provide insight into pathologic conditions that may be of clinical relevance to rehabilitation efforts for cold-stunned sea turtles.
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PATHOLOGY|
July 01 2009
PATHOLOGIC AND PARASITOLOGIC FINDINGS OF COLD-STUNNED KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLES (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII) STRANDED ON CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS, 2001–2006 Open Access
Charles Innis;
Charles Innis
7
1 New England Aquarium, One Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA
7 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Akinyi C. Nyaoke;
Akinyi C. Nyaoke
1 New England Aquarium, One Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA
2 Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA
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C. Rogers Williams, III;
C. Rogers Williams, III
3 Woods Hole Science Aquarium, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
4 Current address: National Marine Life Center, 120 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532-0269, USA
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Bridget Dunnigan;
Bridget Dunnigan
3 Woods Hole Science Aquarium, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
5 Current address: Vineyard Veterinary Clinic, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539, USA
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Constance Merigo;
Constance Merigo
1 New England Aquarium, One Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA
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Denise L. Woodward;
Denise L. Woodward
2 Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA
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E. Scott Weber;
E. Scott Weber
1 New England Aquarium, One Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA
6 Current address: University of California, Davis, 2108 Tupper Hall, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Salvatore Frasca, Jr.
Salvatore Frasca, Jr.
2 Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089, USA
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J Wildl Dis (2009) 45 (3): 594–610.
Article history
Received:
April 28 2008
Citation
Charles Innis, Akinyi C. Nyaoke, C. Rogers Williams, Bridget Dunnigan, Constance Merigo, Denise L. Woodward, E. Scott Weber, Salvatore Frasca; PATHOLOGIC AND PARASITOLOGIC FINDINGS OF COLD-STUNNED KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLES (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII) STRANDED ON CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS, 2001–2006. J Wildl Dis 1 July 2009; 45 (3): 594–610. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-45.3.594
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