Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thought I would post this here too:
Does anyone know what the average time is before an egg bound snake's egg begins to calcify? The reason I ask, is because I am overseas right now, but will be home in about one week and I have a cornsnake that may have an egg stuck in her. She just laid all her eggs two days ago except one....(Hopefully she'll pass this egg in a day or so and I won't have any problems)
I have done the procedure before (sucking out the contents of a stuck egg in a snake and thus saving the snake), but will it be too late in one week or not?
Meanwhile, I will have the wife try and find a vet that can do this procedure too, just in case....
THANKS in advance...
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

Calcium shots have been said to help. There was an entire thread on the King forum about that. Calcium by mouth is worth a try, if you can get her to eat a fuzzy dusted with calcium, but many refuse to eat at this point. I wish I had an answer about how long you have. A week doesn't seem like too long, but I'm not sure? A qualified Vet may be the best answer? I usually give them a few days, mant times they will pass on their own. Good Luck Zee!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

N/m
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

For oral dosage you may want to try Calcium glubionate. NeoCalglucon, Calci-Syrup are a couple of brand names, I believe it is available over the counter at pharmacies, best to call and check on that. The dosage is just 1mg per kilo. Since it is liquid you can use a syringe (with no needle) and squirt it down the throat. At the same time you might give pedialyte, the calories can help replenish energy and hopefully allow her to push the egg out on her own.
A variation would be to soak the snake in gatorade, Like you might for a bad shed, a shallow container but with gatorade instead of water. The hydration is probably the main thing. I have heard the sugars and salts help, don't know of real evidence to back that up.
Those are beautiful snakes, hope that it works out well.

Andy Via

Thank you, Andy. I may have to try some of those methods.....(hopefully not).
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"I am an expert on everything, but I know so little and have so much to learn!" -Carsten "Zee" Zoldy-

I have heard from an old field herper with 40yrs experience with snakes that moisture is one of the key components of a successful deposition of eggs (others being diet - calcium -, adequate muscle tone and a suitable nest site.) Too often captive conditions are too dry for too long.

The soak in very shallow Gatorade or Pedialite is good advice and will not hurt a thing even if it turns out it wasn't needed. My advice is to do the soak as soon as possible.

Also, there is a supplement sold for dogs, cats, birds, etc to boost calories and minerals without filling the stomach. It is sold in a tube, and as I write this I have forgotten the name. A squirt of this will give her some needed calories. I have used it before, it is harmless to snakes. I'll look for it and let you know.

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Mark