Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The last time my lizard laid eggs was 04/11/03 (fred), and one of my other lizards has laid twice since then (pms). this is pms's first year and has laid 3 clutches, so far 4 have died and fred had a really successful year last year. I do not understand why it is taking to long for her to lay. I see the eggs in her belly...What well happen if she is bound?

Thanks for your time.
Shawn

Sorry to hear about your Leo. But I go through this about 2 times a year and will give you my typical protocol. Usually binding is caused through stress, obstruction, low calcium, or she may simply not be ready to lay. If she is 2-3 weeks past her lay date, you should be able to feel (palpation) 3-4 eggs within her, as addional eggs will form with the original two remaining in most cases. From my experiences upon necropsy is that the eggs usually are nestled vertically within and on occasion, one egg running horizontally to the females abdomen. If she is well past term I would seperate her immediately and place on paper towels so that you may monitor her feeded and fecal activity. Be sure to include nestbox. If she is still active and feeding this is good.

Secondly, make an appointment with your vet immediately. They will inject her with calcium and oxcytocin (labor inducer). This can vary in price but typical with injections, x-ray, and visit is $75 - $100. I would highly recommend the x-ray to check for obstructions and to maintain for your personnal records. After injection of oxcytocin she should releive herself of the eggs within 6-24 hours. If she does not pass, subsequent visits will be required for injections. Hopefully she passes after the first round. Just be sure to leave her alone to reduce stress.

If obstructed or she will not pass voluntarily, surgery to remove the eggs is inevitable. If surgery is not performed, your gecko will pass. This is the difficult part.

I am currently dealing with an egg bound Crested. I am still trying to find anyone that has had an egg bound Crested. Could be the first in captivity, who knows? Her current progrees is as follows: 3 eggs, six weeks, and 5 treatments.....not looking good.

I hope this helps and please share your findings with us.

Good Luck!

In addition: most vets will recommend Higer temps, more UV, etc. Make sure you describe that your animal is nocturnal and give your vet any records you keep on your animal regarding feeding, housing, supplements, etc.
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Galen Clark
www.captivescience.com

As long as she's still eating, I wouldn't be too worried. Make sure that her lay box is nice and moist and she has a dish of calcium powder. With my leos I've found the time between clutches to vary a lot from between geckos. My reverse stripe female takes twice as long between clutches as some of my other females, and my albino female produced 1 clutch in the time it took one of my other females to produce 3. If she stops eating, or starts losing weight then worry.
-Hope this helps