Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It has been 10 days since her shed. All my others already layed. She was never that swollen to begin with and it seemed to decrease from its peak maybe a week before her shed. Also she was only brumated for a month.

Does this warrant a vet check or is it possible that she may still lay?

Is it possible that she just did not go this year and there is no need to do anything different?

Thanks in advance
James

if she's gravid you should know it. If not, throw that male back in with her and see what happens.
-----
Herp Conservation Unlimited
Mexicana Group Directory
Photography by Joseph E. Forks
Captive Bred Locality Matched Desert Kingsnakes

If she is indeed gravid and still has not layed. What does that mean?

>>If she is indeed gravid and still has not layed. What does that mean?

Before you can address this issue you need to be sure she's gravid. If she is you should notice a considerable increase in girth and when she's ready to lay the eggs will move closer to the vent area.
-----
Steve W.

She is really fat so it is hard to tell. In my best estimation she is gravid. When do I need to start to worry about any complications with egg laying?

>>She is really fat so it is hard to tell. In my best estimation she is gravid. When do I need to start to worry about any complications with egg laying?

give it a few more days. not time to panic yet.
-----
Herp Conservation Unlimited
Mexicana Group Directory
Photography by Joseph E. Forks
Captive Bred Locality Matched Desert Kingsnakes

Is she still eating?

dAN

For not having eaten in a while she is very fat, i.e. gravid. But it has been ten days since her shed and I was wondering when to get concerned? I will give it a few more days but if after maybe 14 days she does not lay should I get her to the vet or what would be my best course of action?

She laid 7 healthy looking eggs, so I guess I jumped the gun in getting worried but thanks for the responses.

James

That's a sigh of relief!!! Well, congrats on the eggs, but lets see if that turns out fine also!

Congrats.

I think I need to go to the vet and get some hormones. But I hear you can just massage them out, I am just a little timid to do it for fear of hurting the snake.

administer Oxytocin or try and palpate them out. Oxytocin is completely ineffective and palpation more often that not results in tearing of the oviduct. If she doesn't pass the eggs you need to have the vet (or yourself if you're comfortable) aspirate roughly half of the fluid in the remaining eggs. Aspiration has been 100% effective for me over the years and has yielded females with no discernible detriment with regard to future breedings.

I appreciate the advice. I will talk to the vet and discuss the options with him. Have others noticed the same thing? Is aspiration the best way to go?

no post
-----
Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

>>I appreciate the advice. I will talk to the vet and discuss the options with him. Have others noticed the same thing? Is aspiration the best way to go?

I agree with Damon. It's the best solution. Make sure your vet. has some knowledge in dealing with this situation because the ones that don't have a habit of surgically removing them.
-----
Steve W.

I have aspirated quite a few bound females and all but one of them survived and went on to breed again for me.

I have also manipulated bound eggs out with success, but ONLY if they are very close to the vent. If they are any further than 1" from the vent i do not attempt it.

It sounds to me like you need to go to an experienced herp vet.

Good Luck!

~ Mike Russo

Aspiration was defineately the way to go. It worked like a charm and could be done by any experienced herper without a vet visit.

Thanks for the help.

James

You should be able to count the eggs in her as she rolls over one of your fingers. If you can't count them than you might have to keep trying to breed her. How many weeks has it been since she came out of hibernation?. Usually they lay eggs 7-10
days after they shed and usually are able to pass most of the eggs and get stuck with only one or two. My guess is that she isn't ready and will lay eggs on the second shed after you keep breeding her to the male.
Hope this helps.
KC