Alabama: Turtle gets CT scan, becomes hospital's first animal patient
What's the story
We have a 'shell-ebrity' in town! Recently, a sea turtle named Kale got a CT scan done at the Decatur Morgan Hospital in Alabama, US, becoming the first-ever animal patient at the hospital. The animal is suffering from deep injuries as its shell once got caught in a fishing hook back in 2019. Owing to injuries, it can't be sent back to the sea.
Information
Kale developed scar tissues and a fistula
When it accidentally got entangled and hooked by a recreational fisherman in Virginia, the size of the hook led to scar tissues and a fistula in it, making space for several dangerous infections. Today, Kale requires frequent and continuous visits to veterinarians.
Place
The turtle has been living at a museum since 2020
Ever since its injuries and health issues, Kale has been living at the Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur since 2020. The museum is a popular hot stop for exhibits on zoology, geology, paleontology, etc. The sea animal got its CT scan done, which "is the best tool to assess the improvement of Kale's deep infections of his shell," says the museum.
Condition
Veterinarians had to hold the turtle to prevent movements
Kale, like many patients, wasn't too comfortable getting the scan done. To ensure it remained still during the process, the veterinarians had to hold it tight. According to Cassandra Worlund, the live animal manager at the Cook Museum of Natural Science, the turtle doesn't necessarily enjoy being held tightly, just like anyone wouldn't always want to go to the doctor.
Specie
Kale is an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle
According to reports, Kale is an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Also called the Atlantic ridley sea turtle, it is among the most rare species of sea turtles in the world. It is also the smallest of all turtle species with 58 cm to 70 cm carapace length and weighing only 36 kg to 45 kg when mature.
Recovery
The injured turtle is slowly recovering
The museum's management shared that Kale is making a lot of progress in its recovery. They are hopeful that the turtle will be back at the museum soon. The staff members regularly handle the aquatic being, ensuring it is accustomed to being out of the water and around people. They shared its CT scan images on Facebook, which got viral in no time.
Previous cases
From whales to snakes, many animals have got CT/CAT scans
In 2019, a Twitter user named Hogan (@Hogan698) shared a thread in which various animals can be seen getting a CAT scan done. From a lion, horse, and giraffe to a snake, leopard, and even a whale, the post showcased all these animals being carefully managed by anesthesiologists before undergoing the scans. Take a look at the images below.
Twitter Post
Scans on animals to determine their health conditions
Talk about a cat scan... pic.twitter.com/GAgD2lYF8n
— Hogan (@Hogan698) October 22, 2019