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The clinical features and treatment of fishhook injuries in freshwater turtles: 126 cases from 1997-2022.
- Source :
-
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association . Dec2023, Vol. 261 Issue 12, p1829-1837. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of wild freshwater turtles with fishing hook injuries. ANIMALS: 126 wild turtles residing in central North Carolina that were presented to a wildlife rescue clinic. METHODS: Medical records from July 1997 to July 2022 were reviewed, and data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS:The most common species presenting for a fishhook injury was the yellow -bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) (n = 69/126 [54.8%]; 95% Cl, 45.7 to 63.6). The most common location identified was the oral cavity (n = 77/140 [55%]; 95% CL 46.4 to 63.4) and the most common removal method was retrograde removal after cutting the barb off of the hook (76/120 [63.3%]; 95% Cl, 54.1 to 71.9). Fishhooks embedded in the esophagus had a significantly higher chance of complications affecting recovery (OR estimate, 3.49; 95% Cl, 1.07 to 11.38). There was no significant increase in mortality associated with the location of the injury; however, there was a significant increase in mortality in patients that experienced complications (P < 0.001). The time in care ranged from 1 to 150 days (median, 16 days). Of the turtles evaluated, 10.8% (n = 12/111; 95% Cl, 5.7 to 18.1) were euthanized or died after treatment and 89.2% (99/111; 95% Cl, 81.9 to 94.3) were released. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings describe varioussuccessful techniquesto remove fishhooks from turtles. While no superiortreatment was identified, considerations should be taken to provide patient comfort, decrease injury-associated complications, and shorten recovery time by using minimally invasive techniques. Overall, freshwater turtles with fishhook injuries have a high release rate even when the injuries are severe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *TURTLES
*FISHHOOKS
*WILDLIFE rescue
*WOUNDS & injuries
*FRESHWATER fishes
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00031488
- Volume :
- 261
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 174309881
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.03.0146