Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok. She was bred on Sept 17. It did look close to the picture anson posted, but not quite as big. It seemed like it went away a bit, but today and yesterday I noticed it again. It;s only really noticeable is she's sitting a certain way. It was a day or two after I gave her some liquid calcium in a "bug juice" type of deal that I first noticed it. I think I put a little too much calcium in I backed off of the calcium for a few days. I got some silkworms, and she is actually EATING them (I got small ones this time, maybe she thinks they are superworms lol, that's all she's been eating) so I won't need any more of the juice again.
In gravid females, does it show up closer to when they are "due" or is it just more of a reaction to overall stress on the body? She doesn't look very big, even though it's been more than a month. I keep thinking maybe she isn't gravid, but her colours/attitude/eating has changed since that day. Also, how else would she have known to dig before? She is still eating and drinking, and hasn't been down to the bottom of her cage again. How long should I wait before it is a huge concern? I want to give her time, but also don't want her to get hurt. What signs should I look for that she is eggbound, and should get her to a vet? Also, what should I do about the edema? Should I change anything (heat, food, water, etc)?
Hopefully she will lay soon, the last month has be aweful for me! I can't help but worry about every little thing! I wish *I* was laying those damned eggs!!!!!
~Lindsay
PS, she is also going to shed sometime. She was looking like it a week ago, but it is coming on slowly, she still hasn't begun the shed yet. It probably doesn't know WHAT to do, b/c she has lost a lot of weight in her back and is probably smaller now, and doesn't need her skin to grow anymore. Poor girl. She can't be liking this much more than I am right now...

It is so hard to know exactly what is going on in there. I don't have experience with gravid Panthers so it is hard for me to tell you what to do. The edema can be from so many things. I think if she were eggbound she would be down at the bottom or not moving around much and would act sick, lethargic or refuse to eat but not always. I would contact a very experienced breeder like the Kammers or Mythical Chameleons. They have seen dozens of these girls go through the egg laying process and could give you some insight. The edema could definately be from too much Calcium especially if it showed up after the bug juice that had Calcium but on the other hand you don't want to give too little Calcium to a gravid female because that is when she needs it most. Maybe it was the D3 in the Calcium that was too much. Maybe alternate Calcium with and without D3.
First clutches can be tough so I would try to contact a good breeder and ask or beg for help.
Sonia