Worried about my Russian (long sorry...) NEED HELP ASAP

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Posted by Leslie on September 25, 2000 at 14:31:31:

I have a Tortoise (Russian) that I have had only 5 months.
He had been outside for the summer, but being in Colo - had to bring
him in just this last week. Outside all summer he did fine. In late
July early Aug he decided to eat a little every other day and
everything I gave him every other day. Now - he has stopped his
interest in FOOD -- HELP!

Since then, I think he realizes that he is inside and is trying to
start the hibernation process, which would be fine , but not now for
2 reasons. I haven't had him long enough and because he is only 275
grams. Also, I am aware that there COULD be other problems, but
since I new to this, I wouldn't know.

Since I have only had it about 5 months - I decided to overwinter it.
Have a kiddie pool set up with lighting and hiding and fresh water
and food available, plus I am soaking him every day now.

Now he has stopped eating (I do have the pen at optimal temps) and He
was eating OK up until about a week ago.
Stopped eating entirely on Sat/Sun and we have been trying to syringe
feed him the last couple of days

I think it is going through the process of hibernation.
How do I stop it and get him to eat and
if necessary,
If I have to hibernate him - cause he won't give me a choice (he is
at 275 grams)

Do you know - or does any one know
ANYONE IN COLORADO that has HIBERNATED THEIR TORTOISE WITH SUCCESS AND
THE EXACT WAY THEY DID IT!

Would help extremely!

I don't want to lose this tort

I am taking it to the vet for an examination today, with luck and a
little perserverance I won't lose him.

ALSO, if the tort does die, how will I know it, and
here is a story I got from someone along the line, what are the
chances of this happening! That is why I want to know how to tell if
the little critter has died. - except for the fact that he doesn't
move?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chris here is a little story, told to me by my vet.
A lady bought a turtle in to him with a very bad case of shell rot,
it was
decided to put the turtle to sleep, the turtle was then burried. Next
year
the turtle ( who had not died, but was assumed dead) dug out of it's
grave,
and the shell rot was completely gone!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now that is why I wanted to know. Cause we are moving and if we
buried it
and it ever did come back up - we wouldn't be there to get it.

One thing I know you probably would not suggest is that
if, indeed, this animal is attempting to hibernate, to go ahead
and let him. Cause if he quits eating - and stays awake under warm
conditions, he will die for sure.

Now how do you handle that?

Don't think that is good or is it?

I am taking him to the vet today and should mention that when I got
him I took him then to check for parasites and there (at that time)
were none present.

PLEASE HELP ASAP!

Thanks
Leslie

Follow Ups:

Re: Worried about my Russian - UPDATE Leslie 09/26/00 (1)
- Re: Worried about my Russian - UPDATE Kassie 05/15/01 (0)
Re: Don't Worry, Try This Matt Hybel 09/25/00 (1)
- Re: Don't Worry, Try This-THANKS MATT - see update Leslie 09/26/00 (0)
A *week* without eating - TOO SOON TO WORRY - relax for a couple more weeks brad 09/25/00 (1)
- Re: A *week* without eating - TOO SOON TO WORRY - relax for a couple more weeks Leslie 09/26/00 (0)

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: I have a Tortoise (Russian) that I have had only 5 months. : He had been outside for the summer, but being in Colo - had to bring : him in just this last week. Outside all summer he did fine. In late : July early Aug he decided to eat a little every other day and : everything I gave him every other day. Now - he has stopped his : interest in FOOD -- HELP! : Since then, I think he realizes that he is inside and is trying to : start the hibernation process, which would be fine , but not now for : 2 reasons. I haven't had him long enough and because he is only 275 : grams. Also, I am aware that there COULD be other problems, but : since I new to this, I wouldn't know. : Since I have only had it about 5 months - I decided to overwinter it. : Have a kiddie pool set up with lighting and hiding and fresh water : and food available, plus I am soaking him every day now. : Now he has stopped eating (I do have the pen at optimal temps) and He : was eating OK up until about a week ago. : Stopped eating entirely on Sat/Sun and we have been trying to syringe : feed him the last couple of days : I think it is going through the process of hibernation. : How do I stop it and get him to eat and : if necessary, : If I have to hibernate him - cause he won't give me a choice (he is : at 275 grams) : Do you know - or does any one know : ANYONE IN COLORADO that has HIBERNATED THEIR TORTOISE WITH SUCCESS AND : THE EXACT WAY THEY DID IT! : Would help extremely! : I don't want to lose this tort : I am taking it to the vet for an examination today, with luck and a : little perserverance I won't lose him. : ALSO, if the tort does die, how will I know it, and : here is a story I got from someone along the line, what are the : chances of this happening! That is why I want to know how to tell if : the little critter has died. - except for the fact that he doesn't : move? : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - : Chris here is a little story, told to me by my vet. : A lady bought a turtle in to him with a very bad case of shell rot, : it was : decided to put the turtle to sleep, the turtle was then burried. Next : year : the turtle ( who had not died, but was assumed dead) dug out of it's : grave, : and the shell rot was completely gone! : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - : Now that is why I wanted to know. Cause we are moving and if we : buried it : and it ever did come back up - we wouldn't be there to get it. : One thing I know you probably would not suggest is that : if, indeed, this animal is attempting to hibernate, to go ahead : and let him. Cause if he quits eating - and stays awake under warm : conditions, he will die for sure. : Now how do you handle that? : Don't think that is good or is it? : I am taking him to the vet today and should mention that when I got : him I took him then to check for parasites and there (at that time) : were none present. : PLEASE HELP ASAP! : Thanks : Leslie

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