Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is contravertial but it has worked for me and Robert Bruce so I shall share it. If I have a snake laying eggs and she quits I will manualy move the eggs down with my thumb. I do not wait more than 8 HOURS once she quits laying! Why? Number one, eggs can glue themselves to the wall of the ovaduct if left too long. The second reason is that those eggs WILL HATCH if removed early! Yes Robert and myself regularly hatch egg bound eggs. The third reason is it can save the life of the female. It is not without risk it is hard to describe how much pressure is too much in a post. And both Robert and myself have had a fecal wad blocking eggs on multiple occasions. So the feces will push out first and then eggs. Hope this helps. I have done thgis with multiple species and Robert has done this with Indigo.
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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

Yes, I have been doing that with mine, I think that's how I got the one to come out, I have been trying to work down the others but they don't seem to move and sometimes I get them to come down and then she will contract them back were they were. What now?

The eggs can get sticky real quick so it is a judgement call on your part. If you push the eggs too hard you will tear the ovaduct loose. I have pushed till I see an egg with the ovaduct slightly prolapsed. I then Find the opening and worked backwards till I see the egg and remove it. (Risky) It has worked on sticky ones where I pried them loose from the ovaduct but you can kill a snake that way too. I have not lost one that way but know people who have. I have never given them an enima but I am going to try that if the need arises....Bill

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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

Lubrication,...KY jelly, and mineral oil. Put some in an empty/CLEAN mustard bottle. Insert the tip {gentley} and squeeze some in. You'll need an assistant. Keep working it. Ask a vet for more detailed advice. Or take her to the vet and mention this technique.

Also see if she will drink water from the tip of an eyedropper. She is probably dehydrated.

Go to www.arav.org Find a good herp vet near you. Or look up Dr. Jay King, in St. Louis, Missouri-Watson Rd. Veteranary clinic. Call him and ask for help.

QUICKLY!!!

Sometimes a larger enclosure or forced activity allows the snake to move about more and the increased blood circulation may aid in allowing it to permit itself to unload the eggs much like how they do when some impacted snakes gotta poop. Just a thought, but it works on humans ready to drop. Cannot hurt to try it?

Dan

Exersize sounds reasonable sunchine to stimulate them might increase their activity level and heat um up enough to push um out. Hmmm. Yep.
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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

I like the excercise idea, and it supports the bigger the better cage mentality which only benefits the snakes. As for manual manipulation, as said, it carries it's risks. It's better to be on the safe side and be unsuccessfull than burst the eggs or the oviduct. If it's not easy, take it to the vet.

Either way, I'd having a good savings account ready for an egg bound snake in case surgery is necessary.

Ian