Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles
Source: Agencies |
May 22, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild - from an acupuncturist.
Dexter and Fletcher Moon, juvenile Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, remained calm as acupuncturist Claire McManus gently tapped more than a dozen needles into their grayish-green, leathery skin during a therapy session intended to decrease inflammation and swelling on their front flippers, restore a full range of motion on those limbs and help the animals regain their appetites.
"There aren't a lot of people doing sea turtle acupuncture," said McManus, who works alongside a vet to find parts of the marine mammals' bodies corresponding to locations where acupuncturists put needles to treat front limbs. "There is not a whole lot of literature out there on turtle acupuncture, so I'm basing it on how we treat other animals and humans."
McManus uses particularly thin needles for sea turtle acupuncture.
"The needles, they are tiny, no bigger, like having a mosquito bite." McManus said.
Acupuncture is intended to reduce stress, increase blood flow and boost the immune system, just as in humans.
Dexter and Fletcher Moon have already had three acupuncture sessions, scheduled once a week.
"These two turtles really had very limited limb use and they weren't eating. We are seeing improved limb use and improved appetite," McManus said. "They are eating on their own, which is fantastic."
Dexter and Fletcher Moon, juvenile Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, remained calm as acupuncturist Claire McManus gently tapped more than a dozen needles into their grayish-green, leathery skin during a therapy session intended to decrease inflammation and swelling on their front flippers, restore a full range of motion on those limbs and help the animals regain their appetites.
"There aren't a lot of people doing sea turtle acupuncture," said McManus, who works alongside a vet to find parts of the marine mammals' bodies corresponding to locations where acupuncturists put needles to treat front limbs. "There is not a whole lot of literature out there on turtle acupuncture, so I'm basing it on how we treat other animals and humans."
McManus uses particularly thin needles for sea turtle acupuncture.
"The needles, they are tiny, no bigger, like having a mosquito bite." McManus said.
Acupuncture is intended to reduce stress, increase blood flow and boost the immune system, just as in humans.
Dexter and Fletcher Moon have already had three acupuncture sessions, scheduled once a week.
"These two turtles really had very limited limb use and they weren't eating. We are seeing improved limb use and improved appetite," McManus said. "They are eating on their own, which is fantastic."
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