SANIBEL, Fla. - A juvenile green sea turtle was taken to Specialized Veterinary Services for a CT scan to look for spinal injuries after it was rescued and brought to CROW.
The turtle was admitted to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) February 26 after it was found floating in the water. The condition believed to be behind the floating is know as "bubble butt."
It is caused by air becoming trapped in the coelom, or body cavity, CROW said in a news release. The air keeps the turtle buoyant and unable to dive underwater.
The turtle also had a shell fracture, likely caused by a boat strike, CROW said.
Veterinarians at the SVS are using the CT scan to look for spinal damage from the boat strike, as well as to see if there is air trapped in the coelom and causing buoyancy issues.
