My tortoise died (i think) in hibernation.

Magteusz

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Basically I took my pet Herman tortoise out of hibernation yesterday she was very stiff and not responsive. I tried everything I bathed her in warm water, I pinched her limbs to try to get some movement. This was her 5th year with me and so her 4 hibernation,(since I did not hibernate her her first year)She's been hibernating since 14 November. She was completely healthy no sighs of dieses, properly eating. Up until like 4 days ago she was still responsive when I checked up on her. Im just wondering what could have gone wrong. Did I hibernate her for too long? Its the morning after and she still not moving. The only thing i could think of is that either she died of dehydration ( her eyes are really bad) or when my power went out for like 4 hours something happened ( I just assumed my fridge would be able to stay cold for that time no?).
 

KarenSoCal

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Hello! I'm so sorry that no one has responded to you yet! Welcome to the forum!

I'm saddened to read of your loss. I had a California Desert Tortoise die in brumation last year. I don't know what happened either, so I completely empathize with your shock and frustration.

Your fridge certainly should stay cold for 4 hours, assuming the door was kept closed. Even if it didn't, 4 hours is not long enough to warm the tort's core temp. She would maybe wake up, but then go right back to sleep.

Was she well hydrated when she started her hibernation? Nothing unusual happened around that time?

Did she have at least 2 weeks of no food before she slept? If her gut was not empty, that could have killed her. I don't know how long that process takes.

You said she was reactive 4 days ago? Had you looked at her, or just felt her respond when touched?

Are you sure she's dead? Pull gently on a back leg...you should feel resistance. Are her eyes sunken in?

I apologize for asking these questions, but it would be good if we can identify what happened. Did you do anything differently last fall from how you had done it the other years?

It just doesn't make sense that she responded so recently. Did anyone in your family do a project or something in close proximity to her fridge? I'm wondering about poisoning from some chemical that got in her air.

I wish I had more to offer, it's just so totally frustrating when something like this happens.

I'm hoping another member will stop by and have some idea.

Here's a copy of out care sheet for Hermann's. Maybe it will remind you of something that would help.

We have members on the forum that breed Hermann's, so when the time comes, you can get a baby that has been well started.
 

wellington

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So very sorry. I dont hibernate any of my torts so can't be of much help except to say so many things could have played a part and that I am sorry.
 

Magteusz

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Hello! I'm so sorry that no one has responded to you yet! Welcome to the forum!

I'm saddened to read of your loss. I had a California Desert Tortoise die in brumation last year. I don't know what happened either, so I completely empathize with your shock and frustration.

Your fridge certainly should stay cold for 4 hours, assuming the door was kept closed. Even if it didn't, 4 hours is not long enough to warm the tort's core temp. She would maybe wake up, but then go right back to sleep.

Was she well hydrated when she started her hibernation? Nothing unusual happened around that time?

Did she have at least 2 weeks of no food before she slept? If her gut was not empty, that could have killed her. I don't know how long that process takes.

You said she was reactive 4 days ago? Had you looked at her, or just felt her respond when touched?

Are you sure she's dead? Pull gently on a back leg...you should feel resistance. Are her eyes sunken in?

I apologize for asking these questions, but it would be good if we can identify what happened. Did you do anything differently last fall from how you had done it the other years?

It just doesn't make sense that she responded so recently. Did anyone in your family do a project or something in close proximity to her fridge? I'm wondering about poisoning from some chemical that got in her air.

I wish I had more to offer, it's just so totally frustrating when something like this happens.

I'm hoping another member will stop by and have some idea.

Here's a copy of out care sheet for Hermann's. Maybe it will remind you of something that would help.

We have members on the forum that breed Hermann's, so when the time comes, you can get a baby that has been well started.
Im pretty sure she's dead she still hasn't moved and her eyes are very sucken in and its strange cause I feel resistance on one of the legs and her nose holes have blocked up. I feel like it could have been a underlining health condition. I prepared her for hibernation as best as I could she was energetic I didn't feed her for two weeks and she was fully hydrated and healthy( I weighed her even).When i checked on her, her eyes were fine not sunken in and no dehydration what so ever.
 

Ink

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I am sorry for your loss.
 

KarenSoCal

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I forgot to post the Hermann's care sheet. I am also posting another sheet that is very detailed on Hermann's. There are some differences in care...temps, for instance. Please don't be confused...both sheets are good info, just differences of opinion. I hope they might lead you to a clue of what happened. If that doesn't work, it's likely you didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes animals die and it's not our fault.

Please don't give up on having a tortoise. Take some time and when you're ready, there's a tortoise out there that needs you.



 

Magteusz

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I forgot to post the Hermann's care sheet. I am also posting another sheet that is very detailed on Hermann's. There are some differences in care...temps, for instance. Please don't be confused...both sheets are good info, just differences of opinion. I hope they might lead you to a clue of what happened. If that doesn't work, it's likely you didn't do anything wrong. Sometimes animals die and it's not our fault.

Please don't give up on having a tortoise. Take some time and when you're ready, there's a tortoise out there that needs you.



thank you for everything :)
 

KarenSoCal

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thank you for everything :)

This is why I'm here until 5 AM this morning...trying to do what I can to help keepers like yourself give their torts the best lives that they can have.

I'm very sorry the outcome was not what anyone wanted, but sometimes it happens anyway.
 

Lady321

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Basically I took my pet Herman tortoise out of hibernation yesterday she was very stiff and not responsive. I tried everything I bathed her in warm water, I pinched her limbs to try to get some movement. This was her 5th year with me and so her 4 hibernation,(since I did not hibernate her her first year)She's been hibernating since 14 November. She was completely healthy no sighs of dieses, properly eating. Up until like 4 days ago she was still responsive when I checked up on her. Im just wondering what could have gone wrong. Did I hibernate her for too long? Its the morning after and she still not moving. The only thing i could think of is that either she died of dehydration ( her eyes are really bad) or when my power went out for like 4 hours something happened ( I just assumed my fridge would be able to stay cold for that time no?).
I'm so sorry for your loss. My Sulcata tort passed last Mon (March 1st) minutes after he was just moving around etc. I thought he was about to go into hibernation, but turns out it wasnt that at all. Sorry I cant be of any help, just here for support. I really do hope you find your answers because I'm still lefted in the dark, as to what happened to my little guy as well. Good luck.
 
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