Author: Sea Rogers Williams
Parasites are for lovers
Our friends at the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program brought some parasites from cases of stranded sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, and seals from Virginia to the National Stranding Conference. These samples were examined at the National Marine Life Center by Dr. Williams who prepared case studies of these parasites that ranged from incidental findings like […]
Having that lump checked
Patty, our diamondback terrapin who lost her top shell due to being exposed to freezing conditions on Cape Cod almost one year ago, had a minor procedure to have a lump checked. The mass was felt on a physical exam and confirmed on CT, but the exact nature of the mass is uncertain. A soft […]
Where in the world: Dr. Rogers Travels: Provincetown Town, Cape Cod
Dr. Williams traveled to the tip of Cape Cod to the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies last week to talk on One Health, the role of the National Marine Life Center and the implications for improving the health of stranded marine animals, the environment, and human health as well. The talk was sponsored by the […]
Where in the World: Shepherdstown, WV
Dr. Williams traveled to the National Marine Animal Stranding Conference in West Virgina along with Kathy, Brian, and over 200 national and international experts involved in marine animal stranding response. Dr. Williams taught a laboratory session on parasites in marine animals, presenting findings of middle ear disease in seals, and introduced three posters: common parasites […]
The Inside Scoop
To investigate what is really going on inside we took Patty to WHOI for another CAT scan, so what did the ‘cat’ have to say about the turtle ? There is a new shell forming under the pink tissue we call the pseudo-shell, this is good news but at this point the new shell is […]
Thanks Tobey Hospital !
The Animal Care staff is very grateful to the generous donation of a Narkomed anesthesia unit from Tobey Hospital and particularly for the help from Robert Casmira to coordinate this effort. This fully functional unit, while no longer the state-of-the-art for human anesthesia, is more advanced then the vast majority of veterinary units and has […]
Shell Game
Patty continues to loose aspects of her top shell, called the carapace, secondary to the damage caused by the exposure to freezing temperatures almost a year ago. The delayed tissue lost is a consequence of micro-vascular damage and a lost of blood flow to the shell (avascular necrosis) which resulted in bone death. Patty is […]
Whale of Good Time
…at least for the parasites, thanks to Suzanne Thurman for sending along samples of the acanthocephalan parasite Bolbosoma turbinella from a Sei Whale stranded which stranded Delaware. This parasite is known from several baleen whales (the big ones), including the humpback, blue (the largest whale), and northern right whale (one of the most endangered whales). […]
Where in the World: Dr Rogers Travels: Boston
Drs Williams and Dunnigan participated in a NOAA Fisheries sea turtle serious injury workshop where they presented examples of sea turtle / fishery interactions and lead discussions on the significance of certain types of injuries among a panel of sea turtle veterinary experts, sea turtle biologists, and government officials. The meeting was held in the […]
Shell Game
Patty’s shell (carapace) is finally starting to show some signs of healing but remains unprotected by the hard surface we associate with the shells of turtles on much of its surface. This protective outer layer of keratin (the same material that makes up or hair) will have to form after some more healing, but Patty […]
National Marine Life Center
Happy #turtletuesday and happy #VolunteerAppreciationWeek!!! Our volunteers play a crucial role during cold-stunned sea turtle season. Their unwavering dedication and selfless sacrifices enable us to
National Marine Life Center
🍦New Patient Alert 🍦 Meet Mud Pie! Mud Pie is a female grey seal weanling who was rescued by our friends Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
National Marine Life Center
Happy #VolunteerAppreciationWeek!! This week is meant to celebrate the selfless individuals who generously give their time and energy to something greater than themselves. NMLC is