Urinated whilst preparing for hibernation

[dale_d_h]

I am preparing to put my Greek Spur Thigh (Testudo graeca ibera) into his hibernation fridge tonight.

He has been without food for 5 weeks,
Regularly been bathed,
And all lights, basking bulbs and heat gradually reduced over the 5 weeks.

The fridge is set at 5 degrees. And is holding steady around that temp.
Monitored the fridge over the last 3 weeks, temp range 4.5 to 5.8.


Tortoise size, 215mm
Weight, 1810 grams
About 13 years old


Ready to rock and roll..............

He has been in his hibernation box 9am to 3pm, in a cool place, getting that final temperature drop before going into the fridge.

Whilst in the box he has urinated.

Do I carry on and put him into full hibernation in the fridge tonight?, or do I abandon?

 

[JoesMum]

Well you will need a clean and dry box, but hopefully that is it.

You might want to hold off for a day or two, no more soaks, just to be sure.

 

[dale_d_h]

The box has been cleaned and dried.
And just to clarify, do you mean, don’t bathe him again, or just check to make sure he doesn’t urinate again?


He is currently in his dry and clean box in the garage,
Still with a view to putting him in the fridge (which is inside the house)

From what I understand, it is common for a tortoise to urinate during this later stage of the process,
And it is safe (properly monitored) to carry on?

 

[JoesMum]

Yes, it is fine to carry on. I would leave him in the box in the garage for a couple more days just so he can get any more pees out of his system; though I suspect there will be none .

Don't bathe him, you don't want him swallowing any more water.

 

[dale_d_h]

thanks a lot for your help