[dead] after hibernation?

Jemma1 · 08-02-2011, 10:05 AM

I didnt really know what to name this thread, but i will tell you all what has happened so far...

I have 11 horsfields and 4 hermanns

I had woken all of the torts up in the last couple of weeks except for 3 horsfields, which i was planning on waking up this week. Anyway, when i noticed the fridge has dropped to 1c, i thought what the heck, i'll get them up now (it had only been at 1c for a couple of hours max). I put their boxes on top of the fridge for 10 mins or so, whilst i got their bath ready. At this point, all 3 tortoises looked the same to me... eyes shut, healthy looking.

I placed them all in the warm water for around about 15 minutes. I then picked them up 1 by 1. Toshka's (7 yr old female) eyes were open, limbs moving, alert, fine. Same for Arnie (15'ish yr old male). Then i picked up pumpkin and all limbs were totally limp, eyes shut, and head flopping back and forth as i moved him. I warmed the water up for another 25 mins and still nothing.

So then.. i phoned bindi (and text, fb'd and messaged on here until she answered me!) in a panic, and took him straight to her to see what she tought. We both decided that he was dead, as he was quite literally lifeless. Still, we decided we should put him under a lamp for the rest of the day just in case.

Whilst i was driving home, i was convinced his leg moved slightly by itself, but shrugged it off as muscular after they die. I put him under the lamp and his front leg moved slightly again if i touched it. After about 3 hours, and a chat to danny, he started moving all of his legs slightly and moving his head. His head was, however spasming every so often or when i touched him... i'm wondering if this is brain damage.

For the night i put a heat mat under the soil in his enclosure at 28c, and thismorning he seems to be the same as when i left him. no better, but no worse.

He is very weak, and when i think he has progressed a bit more, i am taking him to the vets and preparing the bank for a hefty bill.

Does anyone have any ideas what so ever what could have gone wrong?
1c for a short period SHOULD NOT be life threatening to healthy horsfields?
The other 2 coped fine.
I have had him since hatchling 7 years ago, and he has never ever had any problems, been fed a healthy diet and has excellent growth. He only lost 6g throughout hibernation, i would just love some answers.

burnt toast · 08-02-2011, 10:48 AM

Oh Gemma I dont have any answers im afraid apart from could he have had an underlying illness that you hadnt detected perhaps? Just wanted to say what an awful couple of days you must be having, my worse nightmare! I hope something can be done for him. Thank goodness you knew Bindi & had help.

Herpard · 08-02-2011, 12:12 PM

I don't really know what to say Jemma

Fingers Crossed!!

Anita Sayles · 08-02-2011, 12:37 PM

I sincerely hope that something can be done for Pumpkin and that he is ok

Anita x

skildpadde · 08-02-2011, 01:11 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this Jemma.
I hope the vet will be able to help your tortoise.
If the worst happens and he dies, your best option for finding out what happened may be to have a post mortem done.
I'm hoping for the best for you.

TortBabe · 08-02-2011, 01:36 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this

justmeandmytortoise · 08-02-2011, 01:43 PM

Sorry to hear this Jemma

but you have two great people helping you ... good luck

Kirkie · 08-02-2011, 02:16 PM

Hi Jemma,

Really sorry to hear this, hope he's ok.
I think you are doing the right thing with a heat mat to provide some gentle warmth but be careful putting him under a lamp. If he cant move away from it he might overheat.

Dave.

samincornwall · 08-02-2011, 03:01 PM

Oh no

I hope it works out for you

**egyptiandan64** · 08-02-2011, 03:11 PM

I can only think it was the bath basicly right out of the fridge. It's a big shock to the system to warm up that fast and to put them in water right away. I can only think for one reason or another he stopped breathing, whether that was from a shock to his system or getting his head under water. I'm not sure which it was.
I like a much more gentle way of waking up. I'd leave a tortoise that just came out of hibernation at room temperature until the shell doesn't feel really cold to the touch. This may take 6 or so hours. This allows the tortoise to warm gradually and not all at once. When the tortoise is more able to control his/her reactions (ie. warmer), than I'd do a bath. After the bath I'd set them up in their enclosure.
Just remember that wind down is done gradually, so wind up should be done gradually also.

I hope he's doing better soon Jemma.

Danny

08-02-2011, 10:05 AM	#1
Jemma1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: May 2009 Location: Southampton Posts: 1,573	[dead] after hibernation? I didnt really know what to name this thread, but i will tell you all what has happened so far... I have 11 horsfields and 4 hermanns I had woken all of the torts up in the last couple of weeks except for 3 horsfields, which i was planning on waking up this week. Anyway, when i noticed the fridge has dropped to 1c, i thought what the heck, i'll get them up now (it had only been at 1c for a couple of hours max). I put their boxes on top of the fridge for 10 mins or so, whilst i got their bath ready. At this point, all 3 tortoises looked the same to me... eyes shut, healthy looking. I placed them all in the warm water for around about 15 minutes. I then picked them up 1 by 1. Toshka's (7 yr old female) eyes were open, limbs moving, alert, fine. Same for Arnie (15'ish yr old male). Then i picked up pumpkin and all limbs were totally limp, eyes shut, and head flopping back and forth as i moved him. I warmed the water up for another 25 mins and still nothing. So then.. i phoned bindi (and text, fb'd and messaged on here until she answered me!) in a panic, and took him straight to her to see what she tought. We both decided that he was dead, as he was quite literally lifeless. Still, we decided we should put him under a lamp for the rest of the day just in case. Whilst i was driving home, i was convinced his leg moved slightly by itself, but shrugged it off as muscular after they die. I put him under the lamp and his front leg moved slightly again if i touched it. After about 3 hours, and a chat to danny, he started moving all of his legs slightly and moving his head. His head was, however spasming every so often or when i touched him... i'm wondering if this is brain damage. For the night i put a heat mat under the soil in his enclosure at 28c, and thismorning he seems to be the same as when i left him. no better, but no worse. He is very weak, and when i think he has progressed a bit more, i am taking him to the vets and preparing the bank for a hefty bill. Does anyone have any ideas what so ever what could have gone wrong? 1c for a short period SHOULD NOT be life threatening to healthy horsfields? The other 2 coped fine. I have had him since hatchling 7 years ago, and he has never ever had any problems, been fed a healthy diet and has excellent growth. He only lost 6g throughout hibernation, i would just love some answers. __________________

08-02-2011, 12:37 PM	#4
Anita Sayles Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plymouth, Devon UK Posts: 1,163	I sincerely hope that something can be done for Pumpkin and that he is ok Anita x __________________ ... Be young, be foolish, but be happy... Life is too short to worry about unimportant things. Reach for the sky, touch your star, and then you find your dream... TheTams - 1965

08-02-2011, 01:11 PM	#5
skildpadde Member Incubating Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brighton & Hove Posts: 151	I'm so sorry to hear this Jemma. I hope the vet will be able to help your tortoise. If the worst happens and he dies, your best option for finding out what happened may be to have a post mortem done. I'm hoping for the best for you. __________________ Mette 2.0.0 Testudo Graeca Ibera 0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 1.0.0 Budgerigar 0.1.0 Border terrier 1.0.0 Tabby cat 0.0.6 Discus fish Numerous other fish

08-02-2011, 01:36 PM	#6
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	I'm so sorry to hear this __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

08-02-2011, 01:43 PM	#7
justmeandmytortoise Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 2,682	Sorry to hear this Jemma but you have two great people helping you ... good luck __________________ www.justmeandmytortoise.webs.com Tortoise, Terrapin and Turtle group covering Kent and London

08-02-2011, 10:48 AM	#2
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,245	Oh Gemma I dont have any answers im afraid apart from could he have had an underlying illness that you hadnt detected perhaps? Just wanted to say what an awful couple of days you must be having, my worse nightmare! I hope something can be done for him. Thank goodness you knew Bindi & had help.

08-02-2011, 12:12 PM	#3
Herpard Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norton Canes, UK Posts: 2,330	I don't really know what to say Jemma Fingers Crossed!!

08-02-2011, 02:16 PM	#8
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Hi Jemma, Really sorry to hear this, hope he's ok. I think you are doing the right thing with a heat mat to provide some gentle warmth but be careful putting him under a lamp. If he cant move away from it he might overheat. Dave.

08-02-2011, 03:01 PM	#9
samincornwall Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 290	Oh no I hope it works out for you __________________ Sam I love my tortoises, Glastonbury (And most other festivals) and Leonard Cohen.

08-02-2011, 03:11 PM	#10
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	I can only think it was the bath basicly right out of the fridge. It's a big shock to the system to warm up that fast and to put them in water right away. I can only think for one reason or another he stopped breathing, whether that was from a shock to his system or getting his head under water. I'm not sure which it was. I like a much more gentle way of waking up. I'd leave a tortoise that just came out of hibernation at room temperature until the shell doesn't feel really cold to the touch. This may take 6 or so hours. This allows the tortoise to warm gradually and not all at once. When the tortoise is more able to control his/her reactions (ie. warmer), than I'd do a bath. After the bath I'd set them up in their enclosure. Just remember that wind down is done gradually, so wind up should be done gradually also. I hope he's doing better soon Jemma. Danny __________________

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