Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a female Borneo start laying yesterday morning. She dropped out 9 eggs (five duds) over the course of about an hour and a half or so.. then she stopped. She has not done anything in the last 24 hours. Her tail looks like its going to explode and I can physically see and feel a large number off eggs left in her (about a softball and a half in size and seem to all be grouped together). It appears that the eggs are right now at the closest around an inch from her vent. I'm worried she might become egg bound or compacted at some point.

Was not sure if this was at all common or when I should really start worrying and take her to the vet? Or if there were any other things I needed to check to make sure she is O.K.. Looks and acts like she is in a lot of pain. Have never had this problem before?

Thanks,

Jordan
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

You should check out this thread from a couple weeks ago. The general gist I get from that conversation is that your snake really needs to see a vet. It is possible to massage the eggs out in some cases but unless you have lots of experience in this matter (and since you're posting I assume you don't) then the odds are that you will seriously injure the snake doing so. I wish I had some personal experience in this matter but I've never bread my snakes so it's not exactly a situation I've ever had to deal with. Some other people will probably post within a few hours with better advice.

Link:
question about egg bound snake

Thanks I have seen that thread, and i do know what being egg bound is and how to deal with it etc.. My main question is when exactly is it considered egg bound and kind of inquiring if there are any quick tricks to get her back laying.
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Personally, I'd give her 2 - 3 days to lay the rest of 'em and then I'd be sitting at my Vet's front door step the very next day.

Actually, in your case, I suggest calling your Vet first thing Monday morning if she hasn't laid 'em by then. I would at least be waiting at my Vet's office as a walk-in emergency Tuesday morning, at the latest.

I hope everything turns out alright. Please keep us updated.

Hang in there!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

"...I'd give her 2 - 3 days to lay the rest of 'em..."

That's "2 - 3 days" from the day she began laying.
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

www.natures-signature.com

Jordan,

I regard egg binding as a crisis event in a snake's life. Yes, they sometimes get the eggs out, but the generally don't and some females can die if left untreated. Even if they survive, it often renders them incapable of future reproduction.

I would seriously consider trying to aspirate the egg(s) closest to the cloaca if she hasn't already passed them. It could save her life.

Also, never handle/disturb snakes in the process of egg laying. This is often the trigger that leads to egg retention.

Good luck.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Kathy Love once told me that if the closest egg to the cloaca is with in 1-2 inches of the cloaca that it is safe to try and palpait the egg out. If the first egg comes out then give her some time to work on the next egg. If she can not get the next out repeat the process if the egg is close, if not you can also asperate the next egg in line but that is not as easy to do.
-kyle

Thanks for the replies.

I talked to my vet today (it was his first day in the office). He did not seem worried with the snakes situation, or at least in relation to the time period that has elapsed so far. I do not think I can palpitate them by myself at any rate. There are atleast 6-10 more eggs in there and they are all bunched up at the tail. She is in alot of pain and not co-operating, she actually seems to be holding them in.
If no progression happens by the first of next week we are going for a visit and I think the basic plan is he will slightly sedate her and we will palpitate the eggs. He did suggest a little calcium before hand might help as well. Though he is experienced with surgery if need be.

Thanks for all the help though. My vet is pretty much the man IMHO and he put a good perspective on this for me.

Thanks,

Jordan
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior