Please note: All of the TMMSN conservation efforts are supported entirely by voluntary donations and grants. If you would like to support our marine mammal rescue and recovery work please visit our wish list, where you can donate needed items or make a tax-deductible cash contribution.
PO480 "Raine"
| December 24, 2011 - Raine took a steep decline over the last 24 hours. Volunteers began supporting her as she became too weak to swim on her own and was also experiencing great difficulty breathing. She continued to steadily decline despite our efforts to make her as comfortable as possible. Those of us that have worked with Raine on a day to day basis have seen her many ups and downs but over the last 3 days particularly have seen a distinct change in her behavior and ability to continue fighting. After assessment this morning, her primary veterinarian has decided that it is in Raine's best interest not to let her continue suffering any longer and has made the difficult decision to euthanize after much consideration of her entire rehab case. Although, those of us working closely with Raine are experiencing a great deal of sadness, knowing that Raine will not have to suffer anymore is comforting. |
December 20, 2011
- Raine has been busy swimming on her own for the last few days. 
The
volunteers are anxiously (and proudly) waiting poolside in the event she
needs assistance, but she's finally progressed to getting by on her own. She has also become interested in her enrichment devices (toys!) and interacts with them throughout the day. Feeding is also never a problem with Raine as she actively retrieves her fish.
These things are all encouraging to see and provide a little boost to us all after the preceding weeks. Despite these progressions, however, she has a number of highly significant obstacles to overcome including active infection, the healing of her lesions and wounds, and additionally the spinal curvature that she has developed. Since we have experienced the scoliosis with animals previously, we have been working since she arrived through consultation, physical therapy and other means of treatment to address the curvature but have not yet been successful in this regard with Raine. Although we hope that she can make progress concerning these issues, we remain guarded concerning her prognosis.
We are proud to say that Raine is very fortunate for the number of caring individuals that have worked alongside her since her arrival, willing her to get better.
December 6, 2011
- Our new patient which stranded on November 26, 2011 has been named "Raine"
(pronounced "Rain"). We thought it short and sweet, and especially fitting
because she is definitely sweet and due to the downpour of heavy rain
throughout the rescue effort (after a long Texas drought).
Raine
has grown stronger over the last week but is still being supported by staff
and many volunteers in the water. Luckily, she is eating well and is
motivated by fish, so we are able to use this to our advantage with several
"exercise" feeding sessions throughout the day in addition to her regular
feeds. She has also been receiving several physical therapy sessions daily
to help her maintain strength in her muscles and tail.
Raine was very malnourished and ill upon stranding. She is also
being treated for a fungal infection. Fungal infections are not uncommon in
dolphins with immune suppression but must be treated with persistence and
care. The prescribed medication is expensive and in our experience with
other dolphins in rehabilitation, it can also require long-term treatment,
so TMMSN will have to rely on the public and current supporters for help
with the cost of Raine's care and medication.
December 3, 2011
- At her one week anniversary since stranding, PO480 continues to receive
critical care from volunteers and staff at the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding
Network. She continues to fight advanced illness and was very weak
nutritionally upon stranding. We have been working around the clock in order
for her to regain her strength and nutrition and she has met a small
milestone in the rehab process as she is now able to consume whole fish with
minimal to no assistance.
Thank you for all of the donated supplies, contributions towards her
care, and well wishes so far.
November 30, 2011 - Our recent
rescue, dolphin "480" has an amazing team behind her right now at TMMSN.
Volunteers continue to provide care around the clock, literally walking her
in the water 24 hours a day (and all through the night)! She is also tube
fed a gruel (fish/pedialyte/water) mixture every four hours around the clock
and is handling the feeds well so far. She is making small progressions and
also seems to be more alert about her surroundings but her condition still
remains guarded. Initial lab work shows that she is suffering from illness,
which is likely what brought her to the beach. We will continue to monitor
her through frequent diagnostics. All of this work is supported by donations
and our volunteers are working hard so there is little time left for
fundraising, but if you are able to make any donation towards her care, it
will certainly be helpful. Thanks for following our new patient and TMMSN!
November 26, 2011 - The Texas Marine Mammal
Stranding Network responded to a live stranded bottlenose dolphin around
noon today in Sargent, Texas. The dolphin is an adult female and is
currently at our rehab facility in Galveston, TX. She stranded on a
remote part of Sargent Beach where she was found by beachgoers who called
our
800-9MAMMAL pager line.
The beachgoers did an amazing job of keeping her comfortable until
we arrived and although our Critical Care Team volunteers suffered through
some very rough weather throughout the transport back to Galveston, the
dolphin and team made it back safely.
Our new patient is currently being supported in the water around the
clock by our dedicated volunteers. For now, the animal remains in critical
condition and we will update you with any progress.
In the News:
The Daily News
12/13
KHOU 12/12
Houston Chronicle 12/12