A green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, was found stranded in the Laguna Madre of Padre Island, TX, with reduced mobility and swelling of both shoulder joints. Radiographs revealed progressive destruction of both humero-scapular joints. Biopsy, cytology, and culture revealed a Streptococcus sp. infection and subsequent inflammation. The animal was euthanized 18 months after stranding due to poor quality of life and a grave prognosis for return to function, despite multiple courses of long-term antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy. Necropsy and histopathology revealed severe chronic fibrinonecrosis of both humeri, with intralesional mixed populations of bacteria. Culture samples taken at necropsy grew bacterial populations that included Nocardia sp., Corynebacterium sp., alpha hemolytic Streptococcus sp., and Gram-negative nonfermenters from both shoulder joints. Septic arthritis coupled with no evidence of external wounds indicates hematogenous spread of bacteria as has been demonstrated in other similar cases involving green sea turtles.

Nine green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, were presented to two rehabilitation facilities on the Texas coast with cutaneous growths consistent with fibropapillomatosis. Complete blood counts, radiographs, and computed tomography were performed for further evaluation. No evidence of internal tumors was present using either imaging modality. Treatment included surgical excision of the cutaneous tumors. Histopathologic analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed with the tissue samples collected. Histopathology revealed characteristic inclusions in only three (33%) individuals, and PCR results for fibropapilloma-associated turtle herpesvirus were positive for eight (89%) of nine individuals submitted. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fibropapillomatosis in a green sea turtle on the Texas coast.

The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) has suffered a significant population decline and investigations into the cause are ongoing. One possible contributing factor is infection with the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) as has been documented in many amphibian species. The goal of this study was to compare testing protocols and identify significant variables for Bd testing for this species. The results indicate that swabbing the soles of the feet is the most reliable method for identifying the fungus in hellbenders. Presence of Bd in hellbenders was not influenced by time (consistent over 6 months) or temperature (consistent at 12°C [53°F] and 21°C [70°F]).

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a regular inhabitant of the Arabian Gulf. Sea turtles are included in the IUCN red list, and the hawksbill is listed as critically endangered. From March 2004 to September 2010, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project received 150 sick and injured juvenile hawksbill turtles, rescued in the Arabian Gulf. Blood samples taken from the animals during convalescence and prior to release were analyzed, establishing a hematology and biochemistry reference interval for clinically healthy rehabilitated juvenile hawksbill turtles from the Arabian Gulf. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, potassium, and sodium were evaluated. When compared to values at first presentation, clinically healthy rehabilitated turtles had significantly higher PCV (P = 0.006) and significantly lower WBC (P = 0.0001), heterophils (P = 0.005), monocytes (P = 0.04), AST (P = 0.03), and CK (P = 0.0001). There was no significant change in hemoglobi n, eosinophils, basophils, uric acid, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, potassiu m, or sodium levels between turtles at first presentation and post-rehabilitation.

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) have historically had markedly inverted calcium: phosphorous (Ca:P) ratios on prerelease plasma biochemistries at a rehabilitation center in North Carolina. A clinical diagnostic investigation was conducted to assess ionized calcium (iCa), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (Vit D), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in a subset of the affected animals (n = 10). Reference values for iCa, Vit D, and PTH have not been reported for wild green sea turtles in this region; therefore, healthy wild turtles (n = 10) that were incidentally captured in commercial fishing nets along the North Carolina coast were also evaluated. Median (10th–90th percentiles) levels of iCa, PTH, and Vit D for turtles in rehabilitation were 0.63 (0.55–0.72) mmol/L, 2.95 (1.31–3.96) pmol/L, and 27.5 (17.2–64.6) nmol/L, respectively, and for wild turtles were 1.05 (0.87–1.23) mmol/L, 0.75 (0.04–2.28) pmol/L, and 36 (16.1–72.1) nmol/L, respectively. Significant differences were found between the two populations for Ca, P, Ca:P, iCa, and PTH. Vitamin D values did not differ between the two populations, suggesting that turtles in rehabilitation maintain adequate levels. Calcium and iCa values were significantly lower and PTH and P were significantly higher in turtles in rehabilitation than in wild turtles. This suggests that dietary requirements are not being met in the captive population. The values presented here for iCa, Vit D, and PTH from the healthy wild population may serve as references for green sea turtles in rehabilitation.