Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm posting this in hope that it may help others. I had a grayband get eggbound this year. She was hibernated,bred and laid eggs as every year for the past three years. This is her 3rd clutch and she has not had any problems before. This time she laid 7 eggs and the 8th got stuck.
After about 4 days she still had not passed it so I aspirated it. The needle says it is a Monoject 200 18 x 3/4. I then attempted to palpate out the egg. It wouldn't move. The snake appeared otherwise healthy and was normally alert. So I decided to leave her alone. 2 days and she still had not passed it. I then offered her a smaller than normal mouse. She ate it. 4 days later and she still had not passed it. I figured it was not going to come out but she still appeared healthy and alert. I removed her nest box and fed her a slightly larger than normal meal, hoping only now that she would live. She ate the meal.
At this point I figured this would just be a learning experience and if she did not pass it I would have to decide if I would breed her next year and see if she could pass it then or just see if she would live and keep her as a pet only. I was wodering if the egg had possibly fused to the oviduct. Well I am glad to report that yesterday approxiamately 12 days after laying she passed the egg on her own. She appears healthy, active and hungry right now. If she thrives I think I will breed her next year to determine whether it is still possible for her to lay eggs.

Thanks for the egg binding story with a good ending!! ..

I have learned through the years that when dealing with eggbound snakes the best way to go is to LEAVE IT ALONE!!

I would breed her again next year..

~ Mike Russo

I second the notion of "leaving her alone" being the best policy. I had similar stories and have had success without intervention. I even had a female retain her eggs and pass them the year after along w/ a viable clutch (although I know not recommended because of infection/mold). Congrats and post pics of those babies when they hatch!

take care
mgl

I've aspirated several eggs over the last decade, mostly for others, and each female has gone on to produce subsequent clutches with no problem. I conclude that it's a reasonably safe procedure.

Brad Chambers

that it is safe and I have done it as well, but why risk site infection or possibly systemic infection when there's a chance she'll naturally pass the egg? Regardless, Good luck to all and glad to hear things worked out.

mgl

do you aspirate through the side wall or belly.ive heard the belly has blood vessels Etc.

You go in through the side.

i had a lg. female fl king lay 5 good eggs and retain 5 for 15 more days then layed them ,both soft slimey and "hard boiled" slimey slugs ,but probably good at laying time if she did not retain them. do the eggs suffocate if retained?

About how much of the egg contents did you aspirate?