Spotting the word ‘tortoise’ on my list of evening consults can make me feel a little anxious, aware that my scope of knowledge for this species doesn’t match up to its canine and feline equivalents. Neil Forbes, the speaker at last week’s veterinary webinar covering Post Hibernation Anorexia (PHA) in the tortoise believes it’s the vet’s responsibility to advise owners on the husbandry and management of this species, and keeping our knowledge base up to speed is essential.

Firstly Mr Forbes wanted to dispel a myth still adhered to in the world of tortoise owners and advisers: ‘To never disturb a tortoise during hibernation’. This is not advice that we should be giving our clients. A hibernating tortoise should be checked at least 2-3 times a week monitoring their weight on a regular basis. Weight loss of 1% per month is acceptable with a total weight loss of 8-10% over the entire hibernation period. If there are any signs of excessive weight loss, ill health, urination, activity or predation, a hibernating tortoise should be woken up by gradually increasing the temperature to 15C over several hours.

Another common mistake made by owners is to hibernate tortoises in outhouses such as sheds and garages. The ideal hibernation area is within a fridge where the temperature can be maintained between 2-8C, ideally 5C. If the temperature drops to less that 1C the tortoise’s lens will undergo crystalline changes causing blindness. Brain and limb damage can also occur. If the temperature rises above 10C, the tortoise’s metabolism will increase leading to excessive weight loss and dehydration. Always question the owner about the hibernation process as these extremes in temperature could be the cause of PHA.

There are many underlying causes for PHA including disease, trauma, undetected concurrent disease, poor regulation of temperature and excessive length of hibernation. If left, a tortoise can stay in hibernation for up to 5-6 months, however this period should not exceed 16-20 weeks allowing an adequate feeding season prior to hibernation. Tortoises with PHA most commonly present having not eaten for a week and/or having not drunk for 48hrs. It is worth training receptionists and nurses about the seriousness of these clinical signs ensuring cases get seen as soon as possible.

Mr Forbes explained almost all tortoises with PHA will require hospitalisation and one of the most effective procedures to allow recovery is the placing of a pharyngostomy tube. Mr Forbes explained tortoises do everything very slowly including recovery which may take from 10 days to several weeks. Placing a pharyngostomy tube allows these tortoises to be fed at home also providing a portal for fluid therapy and medication. Mr Forbes gave a step by step explanation on fitting a pharyngosotomy tube and if we can do it in cats and dogs then why not tortoises?

‘The Webinar Vet’ has organised yet another interesting and informative veterinary webinar which is a great starting point for vets to expand their knowledge of the tortoise. It offers great tips on how to handle PHA and covers conditions such as Runny Nose Syndrome and Egg Retention. So go on , take a look, and if you are anything like me, your confidence at dealing with the tortoise and their owner can only go in the upward direction.