Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Collared, Zoey, laid 5 eggs several weeks ago. She stopped eating 2 weeks before she laid them. Another week and a half went by without her eating. So, as a last resort, I have been force feeding her. I don't want her to starve to death. She looks very emaciated. Do you think she is egg bound? Or could her vent be infected? What can be done to rehab her? Should I even be force feeding her? If so, what should I be force feeding her and how much? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
-----
Tim

when she CAN NOT lay, or pass the eggs that it is called eggbound.

Females will often stop eating a week, sometimes 2 weeks before they lay their eggs, this is considered normal. They even sometimes will refuse food for a short time after.

You may be stressing her out trying to force feed her. Leave her a couple days and see if she begins to eat on her own.

Try something that may stimulate her appetite, like a grass hopper or a moth, they like them.

After they lay they do look very emachiated. Make sure she has plenty to drink, and dont force feed UNLESS she started to act sick or weak.

Let us know in a day or 2 how shes doing !
-----
___

Eve

It could be an idea to be ensure that UV-B source is good enough. Not older than 6 month if its a good old fluo.

Maybe a couple hours under real sun will give your female taste for a crix or two. Females just love sun ...
-----
Alex & Marie-Ève

They can after laying eggs, have one that has not passed, which would still certainly be egg bound. And would lead to infection. She would then become very ill, and start to appear in an extremely weakened condition.

I was just letting you know that "normally" eggbounds meaning, is when they can NOT pass them at all.
It seemed as though you were confused on the original meaning

BUT you said she layed a few weeks ago, and is acting fine, other then slowed appetite , right?
-----
___

Eve

That's what I'm worried about, that perhaps she has maybe one egg left that she can't pass. I think she may have an infection. She has been discharging/seeping blood and other goo from her vent since she layed the eggs. She appears very weak. She stays in her cave most of the day. Keeps her eyes closed most of the time. When she does walk about, she walks akwardly, kind of dragging her vent. She refuses to eat on her own. I provide crickets and water daily, but I have not force fed her in a couple days. Any other thoughts on what I should do?
-----
Tim

oh that is just terrible. i think the only thing that can be done is surgery and even then it is not a guarentee that they will make it. i am not saying she is eggbound. i would recommend taking her to a vet
-----
vonnie
***Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet. Mae West ***