04-10-2015, 12:36 AM | #1 |
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Egg
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Not eating
Hi,
My horsfield pebbles has not been eating for about a week and a half , he`s never been a big eater anyway he weights 400g is 3 years old is 127mm long, I bathe him every other day so he`s does not get dehydrated he`s been very active and bright eyed, I`m a little worried is this just getting ready for hibernation or is a trip to the vet advisable, I purchased a worm count kit but not had any poops to send off to see if worms is the problem? any advice gladly received thanks Susan. |
05-10-2015, 01:43 PM | #2 |
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Hi Susan. Can you advise us if Pebbles is indoors with artificial heat and light or is he outside? Many of us find that tortoises eat less at this time of year but not eating at all does sound worrying if he's being kept under summer conditions.
Worms mostly don't cause a lack of appetite and as Pebbles has been active and bright-eyed I think worms are probably not the explanation.
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06-10-2015, 12:39 PM | #3 |
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Egg
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not eating
Hi,
Thanks for reply Pebbles has had a new bigger tortoise table as his other one was too small and he was climbing the walls trying to get out bless him, He has a UV and heat lamp temps are 30/31, when the weathers been nice he goes outside in his outdoor enclosure,He sleeps well but when he`s awake he is stomping round like normal his eyes are bright and he has lots of baths, last year I hibernated him for the first time and all was Ok but now i`m worried if he is not eating now how will he be for hibernation this year. Thanks Susan. |
06-10-2015, 07:44 PM | #4 | |
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Most of my tortoises are well and truely ready for hibernation. They slowed down at the beginning of September. By eating far less and not coming out of their GH.
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07-10-2015, 01:51 PM | #5 |
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I'm glad Sandy came in there since I've never kept a Horsfield!
If the tort has stopped eating by itslef I think it would make sense for Sue to take the weight weekly and keep a note of it. If Sue decides to let the tortoise continue in this way she would be well advised to reduce the heat and daylength over time during the wind down.
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07-10-2015, 05:18 PM | #6 |
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susan, Horsfields are brilliant for 'just do it'. They should have the Nike tick on their shells. If he has been a mixture of out and in, I agree with Sandy, their senses kick in and they just know. My outdoor lot stopped eating September and all my Horsfields are more or less buried. I get calls saying Tortoise Societies are saying its too early keep them up for a while , but nature can and will take its course - if that's your decision to hibernate so if that is the case I would follow Pebbles lead if you can. (not you hibernate I mean pebbles - though it is tempting sometimes I admit) rule of thumb for me is 1 month stop eating 1 month for purge (must be warmish at times but not warm enough massively active), lock down first week of November. so 1+1 - 11th Month!!
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07-10-2015, 05:37 PM | #7 | |
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I am not worrying this year if they have four months hibernation. It must happen in the wild. No two years are the same, this year has been particularly bad weather wise for tortoises:0)
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07-10-2015, 05:43 PM | #8 |
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it has been horrid hasn't it. The only two up are the usual suspects, sat in the rain and still eating, though not much. One of my Spur does go down early Sept time every single year and last up usually. I don't worry unless it is out of the norm. I must admit a few stopped end of August with the downpours and even though I tried to tempt them with food they weren't having any of it. You can take a horse to water....! so I trust in them, always. CB
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07-10-2015, 07:49 PM | #9 |
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not eating
Hi
Thanks for all the replies you have all made me feel so much better, last year pebbles stopped eating around 11th October 4 weeks no food lots of baths then reduced light temps 4 weeks, Hibernated beginning December and woke up 31st January so it was only about 8 weeks, so that was why I was worried it was 3 weeks earlier,so obviously he will go down earlier this time and hibernate longer, it was my first hibernation and was so worried and I still will be this year I love my little Pebbles sooo much lol like we all do thanks for all your help and great advice everyone, Susan and Pebbles. |
08-10-2015, 12:53 PM | #10 |
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indeedy Susan ! yes just keep a check if you have concerns, I would also try and weigh him periodically if can do so with minimal disturbance, this will give you some comfort I think and he may not go down longer ! I like rule of thumb !! soooo if temps in spring or before creep to 12'c for 3 days or longer then time to consider getting him up....just a rule of thumb , nothing concrete. But a reaction in chemicals and (free radicals?!) in the body start responding to warmth and nothing can stop that reaction when it starts. They then need to purge toxins built up over the months...hence sometimes the baths etc, though I have never bathed my naturally hibernated outdoors torts as I think the process takes a natural route. CB
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