The Marine Mammal Stranding Center's first patient of the season has died.
"We are so sorry to share heartbreaking news with you today," the Brigantine center wrote Monday afternoon on its Facebook page.
"Despite critical medical treatment, his neurologic symptoms worsened rapidly, and he became non-responsive," the post reads. "Given the rapid deterioration of his condition, our veterinary team concluded that the kindest course of action would be humane euthanasia to prevent his continued prolonged suffering."
A necropsy will be performed.
The male juvenile Harp seal was found Jan. 27 on a jetty on Bradley Beach, where he was suffering from a large open wound on his abdomen, the center reported.
The seal was lethargic, with blood and foam visible around his mouth, and was immediately transported to the center in Brigantine for treatment.
The team cleaned his wound, which was discovered to be an older injury.
They then fed him a mixture of formula and electrolytes via feeding tube. That's when it was discovered he had lungworm, parasitic roundworms that infest the lungs and respiratory passages, which caused a respiratory infection.
The seal arrived at the stranding center on Jan. 27.He started eating on his own a week ago, but his appetite was not consistent, so the stranding technicians were assisting with feedings as needed.
The seal still was battling an incredibly high parasite load in his lungs into this past weekend.
"If you have ever had a severe cough before, then you can imagine just how tired this little seal must be feeling as he recovers," the center wrote in a Facebook update at the time.
The veterinary team was monitoring him closely for pneumonia, while the open wound on his belly started to improve. He also was being treated for a seal lice infestation.
"The most heart-wrenching aspect of animal rescue is that while we know we can’t save them all, we feel the weight of every passing," the Facebook post announcing the sad news reads. "Thank you to our dedicated MMSC staff and MMSC veterinarian Dr. Hubert Paluch for doing everything possible to try to give him a second chance. We also want to say to everyone who rallied around this little seal. Thank you for caring. We know that you are heartbroken as well."
