rocko's hibernation weight loss
Posted: 03 Nov 2017, 00:51
Hello dear tortoise supporters:
Hi to all--it has been so long since I have posted as all has been going
well with Rocko, my (*approximately) 50 year old Horsefield. I have had
Rocko for about 20 years. I have hibernated successfully suring this
time following tortoise trust and tortoise friend's guidelines which I
have studied quite extensively. I originally posted this questions to Lisa's
old list, but received a kindly reply from someone that the list might be not
as active at this time as previously. When I asked for a forum he again kindly replied
with reference to this list, so here I am! I do remember Lin as the plant expert, also
some other names I see (Nina? Did you live in Florida?) At any rate all has been
going so well for Rocko for many years, I have hibernated him with absolutely no issues
and he has thrived. But now a concern has arisen, so I seek guidance from experts about
his weight loss 10 days into hibernation, double what it has been in all previous years.
Here is the background: Please bear with me as I wanted you all to have as much info
as possible.
Rocko's pattern is to to stop eating mid August or so. This year he
stopped a bit earlier. His last meal was dandilion, scan amount, July 23.
Due to moving, divorce, getting resettled etc
this year I had to get a new chiller, wine chiller, which is holding his
body temperature at 38 degrees F. . I do have the water saucer in
place. My ex took Rocko's Sanyo larder for his beer, necessitating a
new accomodation for Rocko. I have cycled through a Danby compact (got
too cold, even with no freezer compartment) and a compact Galanz from
Walmart, which formed frost in the back, which frightened me. Mon Dieu!
Rocko did not go in until October 20th due to the new refrigerator I
began setting up, testing, etc showed ice formation on the back and I
could not keep the temperatures at the required so I had to purchase a
new one and decided to go for the wine chiller to ensure freezing would
not be an issue. --its lowest temp range per specifications is 40% F.
(4.5 celcius if my conversion chart is correct)
Two things were different this year. #1 he had a longer fasting period.
He stopped passing urates early in wind-down, (first week of August, but because of the
refrigerator snafu, I had to put him in later (usually he goes in
beginning of Oct). I soaked him daily and he continued to drink,
certainly acted normally but would not eat. He maintained weight well
during the approximately 2.5 month wind-down and his going in weight was
1215 grams. His weight today, 10 days later is 1190. #2 difference is
that he seems to be moving around more in the chiller--which is one
reason I waited for the first weight--I wanted him to settle in a bit more.
So this weight loss represents 24.3 grams, double what he should loose
the first month, and he has only been in ten days! So I am quite
concerned. I put him back in and decided to consult my dear tortoise
friends.
I think so fondly of the TF list, of all the wonderful information
provided and its benefit to tortoises. As I move on in years (but looking
at Rocko, I feel so young!) and continue to care
for Rocko and I have kept him by all TF principles and guidelines, which have served
Rocko and I so well, yet here we are and I am somewhat flummoxed!
I was hoping someone with experience-- and I know there are many of
you--could provide guidance. The crux of the matter is that this year,
for the first year ever, he has lost double the weight loss documented
for all previous years. Last year for instance he lost 10 grams after
two weeks,and this year 24 grams after 10 days!
I plan to weigh him again in 7 days, which would be approximately 3
weeks from going in date, 1 week after the very first hibernation weight
at 10 days. If weight is holding, fine. But what guidelines should I
follow for taking him out? How much additional weight loss should I
allow before removing him from hibernation, and in what period of
time? I thank you all so much for any information or opinions you
might offer, and Rocko thanks you, too! Kindest Regards, Linda
Hi to all--it has been so long since I have posted as all has been going
well with Rocko, my (*approximately) 50 year old Horsefield. I have had
Rocko for about 20 years. I have hibernated successfully suring this
time following tortoise trust and tortoise friend's guidelines which I
have studied quite extensively. I originally posted this questions to Lisa's
old list, but received a kindly reply from someone that the list might be not
as active at this time as previously. When I asked for a forum he again kindly replied
with reference to this list, so here I am! I do remember Lin as the plant expert, also
some other names I see (Nina? Did you live in Florida?) At any rate all has been
going so well for Rocko for many years, I have hibernated him with absolutely no issues
and he has thrived. But now a concern has arisen, so I seek guidance from experts about
his weight loss 10 days into hibernation, double what it has been in all previous years.
Here is the background: Please bear with me as I wanted you all to have as much info
as possible.
Rocko's pattern is to to stop eating mid August or so. This year he
stopped a bit earlier. His last meal was dandilion, scan amount, July 23.
Due to moving, divorce, getting resettled etc
this year I had to get a new chiller, wine chiller, which is holding his
body temperature at 38 degrees F. . I do have the water saucer in
place. My ex took Rocko's Sanyo larder for his beer, necessitating a
new accomodation for Rocko. I have cycled through a Danby compact (got
too cold, even with no freezer compartment) and a compact Galanz from
Walmart, which formed frost in the back, which frightened me. Mon Dieu!
Rocko did not go in until October 20th due to the new refrigerator I
began setting up, testing, etc showed ice formation on the back and I
could not keep the temperatures at the required so I had to purchase a
new one and decided to go for the wine chiller to ensure freezing would
not be an issue. --its lowest temp range per specifications is 40% F.
(4.5 celcius if my conversion chart is correct)
Two things were different this year. #1 he had a longer fasting period.
He stopped passing urates early in wind-down, (first week of August, but because of the
refrigerator snafu, I had to put him in later (usually he goes in
beginning of Oct). I soaked him daily and he continued to drink,
certainly acted normally but would not eat. He maintained weight well
during the approximately 2.5 month wind-down and his going in weight was
1215 grams. His weight today, 10 days later is 1190. #2 difference is
that he seems to be moving around more in the chiller--which is one
reason I waited for the first weight--I wanted him to settle in a bit more.
So this weight loss represents 24.3 grams, double what he should loose
the first month, and he has only been in ten days! So I am quite
concerned. I put him back in and decided to consult my dear tortoise
friends.
I think so fondly of the TF list, of all the wonderful information
provided and its benefit to tortoises. As I move on in years (but looking
at Rocko, I feel so young!) and continue to care
for Rocko and I have kept him by all TF principles and guidelines, which have served
Rocko and I so well, yet here we are and I am somewhat flummoxed!
I was hoping someone with experience-- and I know there are many of
you--could provide guidance. The crux of the matter is that this year,
for the first year ever, he has lost double the weight loss documented
for all previous years. Last year for instance he lost 10 grams after
two weeks,and this year 24 grams after 10 days!
I plan to weigh him again in 7 days, which would be approximately 3
weeks from going in date, 1 week after the very first hibernation weight
at 10 days. If weight is holding, fine. But what guidelines should I
follow for taking him out? How much additional weight loss should I
allow before removing him from hibernation, and in what period of
time? I thank you all so much for any information or opinions you
might offer, and Rocko thanks you, too! Kindest Regards, Linda