TRUST FOR ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION, CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Jean Beasley, Director Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center-Overseas Adviser to TREE Foundation- Rehabilitation Program.jpg

“Hope” has her right front flipper severed

“Karuna” – With both front and the left hind flipper severed.

Turtle “Hope” at Hospital, Xray-scan to check for internal injuries

Treatment Procedure For “Karuna”
Hold the turtle from the sides, do not try to lift her alone.

Be careful not to break her carapace or bang her anywhere.
As her skin maybe slippery be extra cautious while holding.
Do not give pressure on the injured parts

Use an air pillow to rest the turtle as this will help to administer medicines to the lower body parts easily.

Place a wet towel under her snout which will help to rest the head and not hang lose.
This also helps in keeping the animal hydrated.

Place a wet towel on the head covering only the eyes.
Be careful NOT TO COVER THE NOSTRILS.
This wet towel will keep the animal hydrated when it is outside water for sometime
Keep moistening the towel at regular intervals and keep it wet.

To Force Feed:
Hold the upper jaw & the skin flap in the lower jaw and gently pull the lower jaw as the
mouth opens
Be very careful not to pull hard and hurt the animal.
Do not keep it open for more than 10-15 secs at a stretch.
Open the jaw at short intervals during the feeding process

When the jaw is held open, carefully feed fish, shrimp or other varieties of Raw Sea food
Clean the food and carefully using sterile tongs place it inside the mouth.
Be quick as the jaws may shut and the tongs may hurt the turtle. Do not use Sharp objects near the mouth.

With a blunt and not so hard tong carefully push the food gently into the mouth and close the jaw for the animal to chew. Once she stops chewing open her mouth again and gently push the remaining food into the mouth cavity.
This will facilitate easy eating for the turtle.

Gently rub the neck to facilitate movement of the chewed food.
Be careful not to rub hard

Prior to applying medication to any surgical or open wound, clean the area with saline or distilled water.

Please be extremely gentle while spraying. Do not spray hard and excess, and do not rub but just dab with cotton swabs to clean.
DO NOT RUB OR PRESS OR SPRAY HARD

Clean the wound with Betadine. Dilute betadine with distilled water or saline.
Gently pour over the wound. Once it covers the wound surface area, carefully
Dab with cotton swab. Do not Rub Or Press.

Using sterile cotton swab or gauze gently spread the betadine, be careful not press but through gentle touch carefully spread.

Wait for ten minutes then apply Silverex

Apply Silverex over the wound and very gently spread the cream over the wound

Wait for 15 minutes then apply Neosporin

After 15 mins Apply Neosporin over the wound in a similar patter. This acts as a water shield

After the feeding and medication processes, now place her back carefully in the tub.
If she cannot swim and has no flippers, then place wet towels above and below her and cover her neck and eyes with wet towels. Do not cover the nostrils and the wound area. Keep her moist throughout by wetting the towel at regular intervals.