Mastering Tortoise Care

Which tortoises hibernate?

Tortoises over 1 year old hibernate
Tortoises under 1 year old hibernate
All tortoises hibernate
Only Mediterranean tortoises hibernate (correct)

At what age should tortoises not be hibernated?

Over 1 year old
Under 2 years old
Under 1 year old (correct)
Over 2 years old

What should be checked during the pre-hibernation exam?

FEC, weight, and signs of systemic disease (correct)
FEC and hydration
FEC and weight
Weight and hydration

What can a VD radiograph be used to check for before hibernation?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What may be required for a tortoise before hibernation?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why should tortoises be bathed daily in warm water before hibernation?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

How long should the temperature be reduced before hibernation?

3-4 weeks (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended temperature range for hibernation?

3-7 degrees (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if the hibernation temperature is too high or too low?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

During hibernation, what should be monitored in a tortoise?

Defecation, urination, and weight (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method of hibernating a tortoise?

Fridge (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if a tortoise loses 10% of its body weight during hibernation?

It may experience dehydration (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common problem during hibernation that is linked to kidney disease?

Dehydration (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can be observed to determine if a tortoise is dehydrated?

Sunken eyes and dry mucus membranes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are common post-hibernation diseases in tortoises?

Stomatitis and rhinitis (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for mycoplasma bacteria in tortoises?

Doxycycline (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a tortoise defecates during hibernation?

Wake it up immediately (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum duration of hibernation for a tortoise?

3 months (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of bathing a tortoise after hibernation?

To provide hydration (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the pre-hibernation steps that should be taken for tortoises?

The pre-hibernation steps for tortoises include daily changes in light patterns and temperatures, starving them for 3-4 weeks, providing oral and tube feeds, deworming if necessary, bathing them daily in warm water, and reducing temperatures over 3-4 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended temperature range for hibernation in tortoises?

The recommended temperature range for hibernation in tortoises is between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to bathe tortoises daily in warm water before hibernation?

Bathing tortoises daily in warm water before hibernation allows them to absorb water from their bladders and replace it with metabolic byproducts, preventing toxic buildup in their bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key factors to consider when determining if a tortoise is ready for hibernation?

The key factors to consider when determining if a tortoise is ready for hibernation include a full clinical exam, checking for hibernation problems, checking for worms, assessing hydration and weight, checking for signs of systemic disease, and conducting a VD radiograph to check for MBD, bladder stones, and eggs. Signup and view all the answers

Which tortoises should be hibernated?

Mediterranean tortoises should be hibernated, but tortoises under 1 year old should not be hibernated. Signup and view all the answers

What are the risks associated with hibernating a tortoise in a shed or cellar?

Shed - this is the one that ends up at the vets the most with problems. Loft or cellar - similar risks to being outside - can be too warm and not properly hibernated. Rats are also major problems. Signup and view all the answers

What are the signs that indicate a tortoise needs to be woken up during hibernation?

Need to look for evidence of defecation, urination and weight. If they defecate they must wake them up immediately, this means that their starvation period was not adequate, meaning that they went into hibernation with food in their GI tract. Urination also need to wake up immediately - because if they have urinated there is no water supply for them. Need to keep an eye on weight, if they loose 10% of body weight from when they went into hibernation, they need waking up as they are loosing too much weight. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method to wake up a tortoise after hibernation?

To wake them up, they need to be under a heat lamp and UV strip bulb. Needs to be bathed in water daily. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential problems associated with hibernation that can lead to dehydration in tortoises?

Dehydration which is linked to hyperuricemia (where uric acid builds up in the blood stream) which leads to kidney disease. Their eyes will be sunken if dehydrated, can also observe mucus membrane for if they are dry. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common post-hibernation diseases in tortoises?

The common diseases are herpes viruses and mycoplasma. Herpes viruses: Respiratory virus that causes stomatitis, can also cause rhinitis and ulcerative skin lesions and will develop into pneumonia if not treated and ultimately death Herpes virus - untreatable. Mycoplasma viruses: Respiratory bacteria - blowing bubbles from the nose, ocular discharge, runny nose, conjunctivitis, eyelid oedema, depression, anorexia. Signup and view all the answers