Welcome to the Rowe Vet Group - 'veterinary and emergency care for your pets; cat dog reptiles birds and any other species serving Bristol and Gloucestershire - animal medicine surgery exotic small animal ophthalmology blood pressure internal farm homeopathy doppler cataracts eyes'

Tortoises and Turtles

"To hibernate or not to hibernate- that is the question."

Hibernation:- To spend the winter in torpid state, to remain inactive

Weight:- Some tortoises are not heavy enough to undergo hibernation. If your tortoise is underweight for their age and carapace length, then they should not be hibernating. Thin tortoises may be very weak and sick when waking in the spring. Sadly some can even starve to death due to the lack of body fat reserves.

Mouth:- Sometimes tortoises can suffer with fungal growths in their mouths. If undetected it can grow whilst hibernation is taking place - Not nice if you are asleep for 4-5 months

Worming:- Many tortoises harbour worms. These need to be expelled prior to hibernation, the problem being that the gut slows down at this time of year. Therefore remember when worming, the worms have to be excreted and may take up to 4 weeks to go through the tortoises system.

Housing:- This is a very important part of the hibernation process. Hay and straw can carry fungal spores which can damage their lungs.

We can also advise on the best place to keep your hibernating tortoise - NOT IN A GARAGE !!!!

Our vets or nurses can advise on waking up your tortoise next spring.