Patient Update – Townsend

It’s been a busy two weeks with our new patient – Townsend – the first in our new marine animal hospital. As with any new facility, we’re finding ourselves making adjustments and improvements to our facilities and procedures even as we carry out Townsend’s daily care and treatment regime.

To recap, Townsend is a juvenile male harbor seal that was admitted Tuesday, October 9th, as a transfer from the University of New England’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center. Read more about Townsend’s history here.

Townsend has adjusted well to his new environment. He swims, eats well, and likes to rest on the platform in his pool. Here’s a fun video of Townsend at feeding time!

Just over a week ago, we noticed several small, round lesions on Townsend’s left side of his face and neck. We also noticed a discharge from his left ear. Last week, we sampled the lesions to test for possible seal pox. Seal pox is a type of poxvirus common to seals, especially younger seals. Although it is contagious to other seals, it is generally not very serious. If Townsend proves to have this illness, it would require a lengthened rehabilitation until he heals.

We also sampled the ear discharge and performed a contrast radiograph (x-ray with dye) to test for ear infection. These tests were inconclusive, so we have scheduled a CT (“Cat”) scan at the Computerized Scanning and Imaging Facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Should Townsend prove to have a middle ear infection, this is a serious disease that can be fatal and would at minimum require additional treatment, possible surgery, and long term rehabilitation. In the meantime, we are treating Townsend’s ear daily by flushing it with dilute betadine antiseptic and applying a broad-spectrum antibiotic and antifungal ointment.

Stay tuned for more updates. Also check out our Facebook page for additional photos and updates.
And, to donate to Townsend’s rehabilitation, please visit www.nmlc.org and click on “Donate Now”. Thank you!