Sea Turtle Husbandry
437
the turtle a tube (15 cm diameter PVC ¥ 31 cm long) in which to hide and/or hold
itself down on the bottom, increasing water temperature, and increased artificial
illumination has proved to be an effective rehabilitation regime, with a success
rate exceeding 90% (Higgins and Bustinza, unpublished data). Attempts have been
made to treat the condition by manipulating just one or two treatment parameters
without success (Higgins and Bustinza, unpublished data).
16.12.3 CARAPACE LESIONS
Leong et al. (1989) describes two forms of carapace lesions: dull-white suture (DWS)
syndrome, and shiny-white suture (SWS) syndrome, both common on young captive
loggerheads. Both DWS and SWS are described as ribbons of white material along
the suture lines. Microscopic examination of the white ribbon material identified
debris, bacteria, and Fusarium-like fungal spores. No effective treatment was
described by Leong et al. for SWS, aside from maintaining good water quality.
Periodically, NMFS STF loggerheads develop something similar to what Leong
et al. describe as SWS, and for future reference, this condition will be referred to
as fluffy-white suture syndrome (FWSS). FWSS is first manifested by fluffy-white
material appearing on the posterior edge of the carapace scute spines. In severe
cases, the suture lines become covered with the fluffy-white material similar to the
description of Leong’s SWS. Left untreated, the FWSS lesions expand to cover large
areas at the center of the scute, resulting in a rough circle of damaged tissue. Keratin
damage with exposure of the underlying epidermis and bone follows.
Histological examination of scrapings taken from infected turtles revealed no
bacteria or fungal presence; the white material is described simply as an exudatewith debris. Oral and injectable treatments with enrofloxacin and topical applications of Vagisil ® (Combe, Inc., White Plains, NY), Betadine ® (the Purdue Frederick
Company, Norwalk, CT), povidone iodine (10% topical solution, 1% available
iodine), and Neosporin ® (Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare, Morris Plains,
NJ) proved to be ineffective, with the FWSS exudate returning in as little as 10–14
days (Higgins, unpublished data). Regular debriding of infected areas twice per
week with a scrub brush, followed by the application of strong tincture of iodine
(7%) with a paintbrush, followed by 15–30 min of air drying reduced the visible
signs of the infection, but keratin and bone regeneration was slow. Debriding
followed by applications of a 50% solution of chlorhexidine gluconate (2% solution) with a spray bottle or paintbrush has been very effective, followed by
temporary isolation of the turtle and treatment of the rearing water with 10.5 ml/l
chlorhexidine gluconate. Early detection of lesions and prompt treatment are
critical when dealing with large numbers of turtles sharing a common water source.
In serious cases of keratin loss and bone degeneration, topical treatment with
antibiotic creams followed by covering the lesions with a protective epoxy coating
has proved to be effective (Neiffer et al., 1998).
1123_C16 Page 437 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM
437
the turtle a tube (15 cm diameter PVC ¥ 31 cm long) in which to hide and/or hold
itself down on the bottom, increasing water temperature, and increased artificial
illumination has proved to be an effective rehabilitation regime, with a success
rate exceeding 90% (Higgins and Bustinza, unpublished data). Attempts have been
made to treat the condition by manipulating just one or two treatment parameters
without success (Higgins and Bustinza, unpublished data).
16.12.3 CARAPACE LESIONS
Leong et al. (1989) describes two forms of carapace lesions: dull-white suture (DWS)
syndrome, and shiny-white suture (SWS) syndrome, both common on young captive
loggerheads. Both DWS and SWS are described as ribbons of white material along
the suture lines. Microscopic examination of the white ribbon material identified
debris, bacteria, and Fusarium-like fungal spores. No effective treatment was
described by Leong et al. for SWS, aside from maintaining good water quality.
Periodically, NMFS STF loggerheads develop something similar to what Leong
et al. describe as SWS, and for future reference, this condition will be referred to
as fluffy-white suture syndrome (FWSS). FWSS is first manifested by fluffy-white
material appearing on the posterior edge of the carapace scute spines. In severe
cases, the suture lines become covered with the fluffy-white material similar to the
description of Leong’s SWS. Left untreated, the FWSS lesions expand to cover large
areas at the center of the scute, resulting in a rough circle of damaged tissue. Keratin
damage with exposure of the underlying epidermis and bone follows.
Histological examination of scrapings taken from infected turtles revealed no
bacteria or fungal presence; the white material is described simply as an exudatewith debris. Oral and injectable treatments with enrofloxacin and topical applications of Vagisil ® (Combe, Inc., White Plains, NY), Betadine ® (the Purdue Frederick
Company, Norwalk, CT), povidone iodine (10% topical solution, 1% available
iodine), and Neosporin ® (Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare, Morris Plains,
NJ) proved to be ineffective, with the FWSS exudate returning in as little as 10–14
days (Higgins, unpublished data). Regular debriding of infected areas twice per
week with a scrub brush, followed by the application of strong tincture of iodine
(7%) with a paintbrush, followed by 15–30 min of air drying reduced the visible
signs of the infection, but keratin and bone regeneration was slow. Debriding
followed by applications of a 50% solution of chlorhexidine gluconate (2% solution) with a spray bottle or paintbrush has been very effective, followed by
temporary isolation of the turtle and treatment of the rearing water with 10.5 ml/l
chlorhexidine gluconate. Early detection of lesions and prompt treatment are
critical when dealing with large numbers of turtles sharing a common water source.
In serious cases of keratin loss and bone degeneration, topical treatment with
antibiotic creams followed by covering the lesions with a protective epoxy coating
has proved to be effective (Neiffer et al., 1998).
1123_C16 Page 437 Tuesday, November 12, 2002 8:28 AM