MSU Veterinary Medicine College Helps Rare Sea Turtle Again

STARKVILLE, Miss.—One of the world’s most endangered sea turtle species, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, has undergone its third successful essential treatment at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Referred to affectionately by the university veterinarians as Toast Malone, this sea turtle recently made its way to MSU CVM with a fishhook stuck in its stomach. Dr. John Thomason, a Professor and Internist at MSU, conducted an endoscopy to extract the fishhook and saved the turtle’s life.

The veterinary college has had prior encounters with this particular sea turtle, conducting similar procedures and implanting a microchip for monitoring its recuperation progress. These activities are part of the university-affiliated Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security (GCAHFS), particularly its Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Health Program, a joint effort between MSU CVM and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport.

Thomason highlighted the remarkable navigational abilities of turtles and their tendency to return to familiar areas despite potential dangers. He emphasized the university’s duty to safeguard and enhance the health of marine creatures through cutting-edge procedures, research, and studies.

“We are offering these animals the chance to recuperate and thrive,” he remarked. “Given that human interactions with marine animals are inevitable, it is our obligation to assist these animals when needed, especially as we encroach on their habitats.”

In addition to Toast, Mudpie, a loggerhead sea turtle, arrived at MSU CVM with two fish hooks—one lodged in its esophagus and the other in its mouth. These hooks were successfully extracted by Thomason, other CVM faculty members, and fourth-year veterinary students.  

Through the GCAHFS Gulf Coast Aquatic Health Program, CVM faculty, staff, and students continuously contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of marine creatures. Exposure to such procedures and research opportunities gives MSU students practical training with enduring importance.

Kathryn Rapp, a fourth-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student from Hamburg, New York, aims to specialize in aquatic and exotic animals. She and her peers participated in and observed the procedure, gaining hands-on experience with this specialized case.  

“This was my first exposure to assisting in endoscopic fishhook removal, and it was an invaluable educational experience,” she noted. “We reviewed the anesthesia protocols for chelonians as a group, learned proper restraint techniques for procedures, and delved into the upper airway anatomy of sea turtles. Witnessing students, staff, and doctors from various hospital departments unite their knowledge and skills to aid these endangered animals was truly remarkable.”

Both turtles were discharged from the veterinary hospital in Starkville on the same day as the procedure and transferred back to GCAHFS faculty and staff on the Mississippi coast for further recovery.

“They are not yet prepared for release. We need to ensure that these turtles can feed, gain weight, swim, and dive,” Thomason explained. “They need to demonstrate their hunting skills and exhibit readiness to survive in the wild. I am hopeful that both turtles will eventually be set free.”