In fact he videotaped the process in steps over months (I have a copy of that tape). He had a pregnant female (one of a few during the same time) become eggbound, this female went 6 weeks into carrying the eggs before they were removed, these eggs were just becoming toxic. Sobek had hers removed at just prior to 5 weeks by a few days, the eggs were not rotting yet.
The problem is the keeper not being able to recognize whats wrong or when something is wrong. They dont become eggbound and die in hours or even days. Ive known of eggs being layed at almost 5 weeks, but that cuts it close. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks to form and lay the eggs, but as I said Ive heard of it going a few weeks further. Usually during this time they cannot eat much, and very little because their body only holds a small amount of space for food with the eggs (African varanids lay lots of eggs), so they become dehydrated easier.
Sobek for example had over 5 lbs of eggs removed from her, about a quarter of her weight at the time (5.5ft and 21.5 lbs).
Those that have females die so quickly after "suddenly becoming eggbound" dont recognize when the female is carrying, and dont realize things are wrong or off for weeks and weeks, some will risk the female life and let them go too long just so they can try to get eggs also.
After a 3 weeks I was skeptical but patient, after 4 weeks I took her to the vet, 2 days shy of 5 weeks she had surgery. She was introduced to a few males albigs before this and afterwards, she tried to kill all of them. The only male she seemed to get along with was a huge argus that a friend had, in fact the biggest argus Ive ever seen, but still much smaller than her.
Main things to watch for with a female albig thats not over weight at the time is getting very fat but not eating(example is a 5ft plus albig that doesnt eat for weeks except maybe a small mouse once every 1.5 weeks), basking alot, like most of the time. The weight shows in the lower abdomen alot more than normal.
I know a few survivors among monitors, and many iguanas that survived egg binding with surgery. The vet and his intern (at the time) did surgery on at least 1-2 green iguanas every 2 weeks for a while when this happened to Sobek. Other than the size of her, her strength (when it came time for anestesia they closed the front office temporarily, and brought all of the vets, and assistants in to help hold her still until it took effect.
Watch for unusual behavior, unusual weight gain in conjunction with unusual appetite loss, and ask questions, dont be paranoid beforehand. At the time I was moving Sobek between 3 cages and switching substrates 3 times, it was just bad timing with everything that happened. Set them up properly now and dont worry about something that may never happen.
