Sea Turtle Husbandry
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outbreak. Any facility rearing sea turtles should have access to a qualified veterinarian with experience in diagnosing and treating reptiles, specifically sea turtles.
16.12.1 BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS
The most common bacteria species isolated from sea turtle infections include Vibrio,
Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Cryptophaga-Flavobacterium (Glazebrook, 1990;
Leong et al., 1989; George, 1997). Streptococcus, Salmonella, and coliform bacteria
have also been identified as pathogens in green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and Kemp’s
ridleys (Glazebrook, 1990; Leong et al., 1989; George, 1997). Many opportunistic
bacteria (Vibrio, Flavobacterium) are naturally present in seawater and become
pathogenic only when the animals are stressed, injured, or the environmental conditions are compromised (Glazebrook, 1990). Aeromonas and Pseudomonas may be
natural opportunistic flora of the sea turtle, becoming pathogenic when the turtle’s
health is compromised. Through careful attention to water quality, independent
isolated rearing, and a suitable diet, bacterial infections of sea turtles can be reduced
to an occasional occurrence or even eliminated. Slow feeding, cessation of feeding,
and lethargy are sure signs of a primary or secondary bacterial or viral infection.
Identifying, isolating, and treating sick turtles with injectable antibiotics in the early
stages of infection greatly increase the odds of recovery.
16.12.1.1 Dermal Lesions
Skin lesions (traumatic ulcerative dermatitis) caused by biting and physical contact
with the rearing tank are universal in the culture of all sea turtle species (Glazebrook,
1990; Leong et al., 1989). The most prominent areas of lesions include tips and
trailing edges of flippers, neck, and tail. Dermal lesions quickly become infected
with bacteria, with morbidity and mortality rates of 30–100% (Glazebrook, 1990).
Hatchlings are particularly sensitive to secondary bacterial infections, which can
approach epizootic levels in rearing systems where turtles are allowed contact with
one another (Glazebrook, 1990). Rearing turtles in independent isolation, in appropriately surfaced, sized, and shaped containers, can virtually eliminate ulcerative
dermatitis problems for all species except the leatherback. Captive-reared leatherbacks are susceptible to dermal lesions on the head and fore flippers through contact
with rearing container walls (Jones et al., 2000). Attempts to keep leatherback
hatchlings from contacting rearing containers to prevent self-inflicted dermal lesions
have had limited success (Jones et al., 2000).
16.12.1.2 Eye Lesions
Keratoconjunctivitis–ulcerative blepharitis have been reported in green sea turtles,
with symptoms ranging from yellow deposits on the eyelids and cornea to complete
erosion of tissues, probably as a result of secondary bacterial infection associated
with impact trauma or biting (Glazebrook, 1990). Injuries to the eyes are common
when turtles are in contact with one another and when housed in tanks with sharp
objects and abrasive surfaces.
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435
outbreak. Any facility rearing sea turtles should have access to a qualified veterinarian with experience in diagnosing and treating reptiles, specifically sea turtles.
16.12.1 BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS
The most common bacteria species isolated from sea turtle infections include Vibrio,
Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Cryptophaga-Flavobacterium (Glazebrook, 1990;
Leong et al., 1989; George, 1997). Streptococcus, Salmonella, and coliform bacteria
have also been identified as pathogens in green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and Kemp’s
ridleys (Glazebrook, 1990; Leong et al., 1989; George, 1997). Many opportunistic
bacteria (Vibrio, Flavobacterium) are naturally present in seawater and become
pathogenic only when the animals are stressed, injured, or the environmental conditions are compromised (Glazebrook, 1990). Aeromonas and Pseudomonas may be
natural opportunistic flora of the sea turtle, becoming pathogenic when the turtle’s
health is compromised. Through careful attention to water quality, independent
isolated rearing, and a suitable diet, bacterial infections of sea turtles can be reduced
to an occasional occurrence or even eliminated. Slow feeding, cessation of feeding,
and lethargy are sure signs of a primary or secondary bacterial or viral infection.
Identifying, isolating, and treating sick turtles with injectable antibiotics in the early
stages of infection greatly increase the odds of recovery.
16.12.1.1 Dermal Lesions
Skin lesions (traumatic ulcerative dermatitis) caused by biting and physical contact
with the rearing tank are universal in the culture of all sea turtle species (Glazebrook,
1990; Leong et al., 1989). The most prominent areas of lesions include tips and
trailing edges of flippers, neck, and tail. Dermal lesions quickly become infected
with bacteria, with morbidity and mortality rates of 30–100% (Glazebrook, 1990).
Hatchlings are particularly sensitive to secondary bacterial infections, which can
approach epizootic levels in rearing systems where turtles are allowed contact with
one another (Glazebrook, 1990). Rearing turtles in independent isolation, in appropriately surfaced, sized, and shaped containers, can virtually eliminate ulcerative
dermatitis problems for all species except the leatherback. Captive-reared leatherbacks are susceptible to dermal lesions on the head and fore flippers through contact
with rearing container walls (Jones et al., 2000). Attempts to keep leatherback
hatchlings from contacting rearing containers to prevent self-inflicted dermal lesions
have had limited success (Jones et al., 2000).
16.12.1.2 Eye Lesions
Keratoconjunctivitis–ulcerative blepharitis have been reported in green sea turtles,
with symptoms ranging from yellow deposits on the eyelids and cornea to complete
erosion of tissues, probably as a result of secondary bacterial infection associated
with impact trauma or biting (Glazebrook, 1990). Injuries to the eyes are common
when turtles are in contact with one another and when housed in tanks with sharp
objects and abrasive surfaces.
1123_C16 Page 435 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM