Tortoise was mid hibernation but now seems dead

[Scotty0206]

My Tortoise is 12 years old and was hibernating since November in my fridge bought just for him. Checked on him today and his eye was puffy and white and blood was coming out of his nose. He is now unresponsive with his head out and legs out.... really need some help

 

[Yvonne G]

Ah geeze. I'm real sorry to say it sounds like he has died. What species tortoise is it?

 

[Scotty0206]

Ah geeze. I'm real sorry to say it sounds like he has died. What species tortoise is it?

He is a Hermann’s, he had a vet check before hibernating so not sure what has gone wrong I’m really gutted

 

[Yvonne G]

Yeah, I can imagine. That's just awful.

 

[Tom]

Man. That sucks.

Fumes? Freezing? New fridges sometimes have unexpected cold spots. Are you sure he was emptied out for two weeks of warm temps and soaking before you cooled him and put him in the fridge?

So sorry.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Sad to hear.
Sorry to hear.

 

[Cceejj]

I’m sorry this happened to you and your buddy

 

[KarenSoCal]

Oh, how awful!

I too use a fridge. If you ever find out what happened, please post it so we can all learn from your experience.

My condolences to you.

 

[Scotty0206]

So the fridge I used was the same one I used the year before with no issues. So this morning his legs aren’t stiff but one eye is white and the other is red and he hasn’t moved all night

 

[KarenSoCal]

So the fridge I used was the same one I used the year before with no issues. So this morning his legs aren’t stiff but one eye is white and the other is red and he hasn’t moved all night

With blood coming out of his nose and a red eye, it certainly seems he had a bleed of some sort, maybe in his head? I have no idea about the other eye.

Have you brought him out and given him a warm soak? Torts can appear to be dead, but aren't.

With that said, this does sound bleak. I'm so sorry.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

So sorry for your loss. It's never easy to lose a friend.

 

[Scotty0206]

With blood coming out of his nose and a red eye, it certainly seems he had a bleed of some sort, maybe in his head? I have no idea about the other eye.

Have you brought him out and given him a warm soak? Torts can appear to be dead, but aren't.

With that said, this does sound bleak. I'm so sorry.

Yeah I gave him a warm bath today but no movement, his legs aren’t stiff though but it doesn’t look good

 

[KarenSoCal]

 

[Scotty0206]

So sad expected him to live a long life and he was so healthy x

 

[Gijoux]

So sad expected him to live a long life and he was so healthy x

I believe it would be well worth the cost for a Necropsy. I didn't do it years ago when I lost a tortoise and wished I had. Not that necropsy always gives us a cause, but often does give you something to ease the uncertainty of what went wrong. I am so very sorry for your loss, and just know you are not alone as the vast majority of us have had unexpected loss too.

 

[Sidotis6]

My Tortoise is 12 years old and was hibernating since November in my fridge bought just for him. Checked on him today and his eye was puffy and white and blood was coming out of his nose. He is now unresponsive with his head out and legs out.... really need some help

In a fridge? How does he/she get air? Sounds like it died..

 

[Yvonne G]

In a fridge? How does he/she get air? Sounds like it died..

Refrigerator hibernation/brumation is quite common. Respiration is very slow when a tortoise is brumating, and the air in the fridge is enough to keep him alive through the winter.

 

[Mumsmad123]

So sorry to hear of your sad loss. My little Hermanns is 16mths old and I have had her for about 2 months. Even after that short time I would be lost without her.

 

[Scotty0206]

So sorry to hear of your sad loss. My little Hermanns is 16mths old and I have had her for about 2 months. Even after that short time I would be lost without her.

It is horrible without him. Debating my next move at the moment and working out if I can put myself through this again and get another but from a youngster this time

 

[Russiantortgma]

I’m so sorry. I can imagine how hard this is. Maybe give yourself a chance to catch your breath then decide to next steps but tortoises bring so much joy - when the time is right you should definitely consider bringing a new little tort into your world .