PATHOLOGIC AND PARASITOLOGIC FINDINGS OF COLD-STUNNED KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLES (LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII) STRANDED ON CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS, 2001-2006

Necropsy reports for 28 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died between 2001 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Gross and microscopic lesions compiled to describe the pathologic and parasitologic findings in turtles that were found freshly dead on the beach or that died within 48 hr of stranding. Anatomic lesions of varying severity were identified in each of the examined turtles and were identified in tissues of the alimentary, respiratory, integumentary, nervous and sensory, and urogenital systems in order of decreasing Frequency. Necrotizing enterocolitis and bacterial or fungal pneumonia were, the most frequently, encountered lesions that considered clinically significant. Parasites and parasitic lesions were identified primary in tissues of the alimentary system and included containing larval cestodes or nematodes. Postlarval intestinal cestodiasis and parasitic, cestodes were also found in the coelom of two turtles. In mainly cases, the, extent and severity of lesions mortality, suggesting that additional judged to he insufficient to have solely caused factors such as metabolic, respiratory. and electrolyte derangements hypothermia; and drowning may be important proximate causes of death in cold-stunned turtles. Results of this study provide insight into pathologic conditions that may be of Clinical relevance to rehabilitation efforts for cold- sea turtles.