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gravid MHD?

tokai Mar 29, 2006 03:41 PM

today I felt my MHD to see if I could feel for eggs and I felt 3 little ball like things, Ibefore i could only feel 1 bigger lump and now theres 3 one right under the ribs, one in the middle and one at the lowest part of the stomach I can only feel these on 1 side and was wondering if this is because they are being developed or if it is something wrong with the dragon?
Thanks

Replies (1)

FroggieB Mar 29, 2006 05:21 PM

>>today I felt my MHD to see if I could feel for eggs and I felt 3 little ball like things, Ibefore i could only feel 1 bigger lump and now theres 3 one right under the ribs, one in the middle and one at the lowest part of the stomach I can only feel these on 1 side and was wondering if this is because they are being developed or if it is something wrong with the dragon?
>>Thanks

It's hard to say. I know that I can never feel all of the eggs and I don't even try to. I just want to feel more than one lump to verify that the female is gravid and not just bloated. I have on occasion felt a single large lump and then the next day the animal would poo and the lump would be gone.

The eggs are about the same size as the feces so when I palpate (feel the abdomin) I check for multiple lumps of that size or smaller. If there is only one and it is there for several days then I worry about impaction. If however there are multiple lumps you can be pretty sure that the animal is gravid.

Usually when you are finally able to feel the eggs it is still going to be a while before she is actually ready to lay the eggs. Watch for nesting behaviour. If you haven't read my caresheet I do suggest that you read the section on breeding, laying and incubation so you can be prepared and so you will know what to expect.

Hope all goes well with her. I would still have her checked for parasites if you haven't yet.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

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