NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION OF SEA-TURTLES

Objective-To determine whether neurologic examination techniques estab lished for use on dogs and cats could be adapted for use on sea turtle s. Design-Prospective controlled observational study. Animals-4 health y Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), 1 healthy Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempi), and 6 Green Turtles suspected to have neurologic abnormalities. Procedure-Neurologic examinations were performed while sea turtles were in and out of the water and in ventral and dorsal rec umbency. Mentation, general activity, head and body posture, movement and coordination, thoracic and pelvic limb movement, strength and musc le tone, and tail movement were observed. Thoracic and pelvic limb fle xor reflexes and nociception, righting response, cranial nerve reflexe s, clasp and cloacal reflexes, and neck, dorsal scute, cloacal, and ta il nociception were tested. Results-Results of neurologic evaluations were consistent for healthy sea turtles. Sea turtles suspected to have neurologic abnormalities had abnormal results. Clinical implications- Many of the neurologic examination techniques used to evaluate dogs an d cats can be adapted and used to evaluate sea turtles. A standardized neurologic examination should result in an accurate assessment of neu rologic function in impaired sea turtles and should help in evaluating effects of rehabilitation efforts and suitability for return to their natural environment.