Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yesterday, I received an adult gravid female Miami-phase corn snake in shipping (I had been very concerned about egg-binding from the stress of shipping, but the seller had assured me she would be fine). She arrived with a loose egg in the pillowcase with her. I immediately gave her water (she took a long drink) and then put her into an enclosure with a nesting box lined with damp sphagnum moss. Over the course of the day, she laid eight more yellowish eggs, some with pointy ends. By 6 p.m., she had stopped, so I removed the eggs for incubation (not holding my breath, though), and left her alone for the evening. This morning, I can see and feel four oval, firmish masses (definitely feel like eggs) still inside her, about four inches up from her cloaca. The only reptile vet within an hour's drive is out of town until Saturday. Does anyone have any practical advice (short of gently squeezing them out of her, which I know could kill her if an egg ruptures or pierces her reproductive tract)?
Thanks for any help you can offer.

http://www.corn-utopia.com/Corn Utopia on the Web/Photo & Image Stockpile - CornUtopia/Kathy aspirating egg yolk by syringe - CAPTION.jpg

Explains it all but i would not do it unless you are certain she is egg bound
Ebola

Ran into egg binding on a frist time bred female about a month ago. She was bound with three approx. close to her vent but she was a bit the small side (their lower intestine is between the vent and her reproductive organs). Waited 60 hours for her to pass them normally but then had the eggs apirated by our vet. Went well- she passsed the apirated eggs within 48 hours. She is bouncing back fine now.

It is OK to wait some time for her to pass them. It is noted throughout that after 48 hours of being bound, the eggs remaining have diminishing chances of being viable. CornUtopia states that need to do something within 7 days or premament damage can occur, but that is stretching it IMHO. If she hasn't laid them by Friday, get them aspirate ASAP. The eggs are likely not viable and you are getting into the serious health impact zone.

If you look back about 3 weeks worth of posts, someone had a C-section done on thier corn to remove the fused eggs. Messy but the next alternative after apirating is an option.

I had a female ratsnake that was egg bound for 7 weeks . The next two years she was fine and reproduced as normal.

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=Coal&album_id=147042

if you'd like to check it out here's the link.

dont be too worried because this was a rare case and is not common to have to be done on egg bound females. usually some mineral oil up the vent, aspiration, massaging, or some drug to stimulate the uterus to contract will work.

Good luck,
Nicole
-----
Coal's Cold-Blooded Creations
Cook Minnesota

BOAS:
Gavin, Lydia, Hailee, and Jade ~ Dumeril's
Wyatt, Sheena, Shaylee, and Mary Jane ~ Columbian
Desdemona ~ Peruvian
Madeline ~ Surinam
Avery ~ Bolivian

CORNS:
Kiana, Sydnee, and Sierra ~ Amel
Casper and Kissa ~ Anery
Tripp and Scarlet ~ Bloodred
Bo, Katrina and Aidan ~ Ghost
Skylar ~ Anery Hurricane
Ariel ~ Striped Amel
Lily ~ Blizzard
Ambur ~ Creamsicle
Neva ~ Snow
Sage ~ Normal

BEARDED DRAGONS:
Divine ~ Silver Pastel
Christopher ~ Sandfire Red x Sandfire Yellow
Baby ~ Snow
Marilyn ~ Sandfire Red
Jane ~ Normal

CAT:
Morgan ~ Calico Tabby

DOGS:
Maximillion Vasco von Katzel and Len-Mar-'s Lexed Leas ~ AKC German Shepherds

HORSES:
Mateo ~ Palomino Paint Quarter Gelding
Chic ~ 3/4 Quarter 1/4 Arabian Bay Mare
Rayna ~ 7/8 Quarter 1/8 Arabian Palomino Filly
Dallas ~ Palomino Quarter Gelding
Banner ~ Red Dun Quarter Mare
Chance ~ Buckskin Dun Quarter Stud Colt