SURGICAL REMOVAL OF AN ABSCESS ASSOCIATED WITH FUSARIUM SOLANI FROM A KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII)

A cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempii, developed an abscess associated with Fusarium solani, Vibrio alginolyticus, and a Shewenalla species after receiving a bite wound to the front flipper during rehabilitation. The lesion failed to respond to medical therapy and was treated successfully with surgery. Histopathology of the excised tissue demonstrated septic heterophilic inflammation with necrosis and granulation tissue, fungal elements, and bacteria, despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Variably thick bands of dense collagenous tissue partially surrounded affected areas which might have limited drug penetration into the tissue. Postoperative healing and eventual releases were uneventful. This is the first report of surgical treatment of cutaneous Fusarium infection in a sea turtle and supports surgery as an effective treatment for a fungal abscess in a reptile.