Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So one of my girls started making a very strange sound early yesterday and it has continued through tonight sporadically. She is/should be less than 48 hours out from laying. When she is coiled in her nest box, and breaths out, the best way to describe it is when a humans stomach growls, however, when I have seen her leave the nest and stretched out, this sounds doesn't occur. I doubt a RI is the case only because I haven't observed any of the obvious symptoms, but I'm open to any thoughts.

this could be a sign of an RI. Not to say that it is for certain, but it is one possibility. What have her day and night temps been over the last month or two? Also, how are you making the determination that she is very close to laying? Thanks,

Kelly

Temps have been 84-86 ambient. She had her post ov shed February 20.

I definitely agree with your assessment on the laying date, as it should be this weekend sometime, or possibly very early next week. Those temps are obviously good if you are using some floor heat, but could potentially be an issue if you only have overhead heat.

Kelly

Ok we are fairly confident that unfortunately we are dealing with a RI. I made a call to the vet and have bumped temps up to aid this until after she lays. The vet strongly suggested and I agree that the eggs need to be laid before we try and transport her unless the condition worsens. So far, she doesn't seem to have gotten worse. Heres the deal now. We are 31 days out since the post ov shed and still have no eggs. How long past 30 days have you seen a Burm go before oviposition? Im thinking I'll give her until Wed night, and if still no eggs then a road trip is in order. What do you think?

I was afraid that would be the case. The longest I can recall for laying with Burmese was 34 or 35 days post shed. I agree with not moving her unless absolutely necessary because moving her before laying could be as serious as the RI. That deep growling sound is usually an indication that the RI is set in pretty good. Good luck with her and let us know how it goes.

Kelly

Thanks for the input and I'll post and update soon.

She still hasn't laid at 34 days past pre-lay shed. The RI is still hanging around. if not getting a bit worse. Called the vet this morning, and first he wanted me to come in this afternoon so he could administer a shot to induce her, but changed his mind and wants to wait it out over the weekend, and be there Monday morning if nothing changes. Said keep temps right where they are for the RI. Here in AL we are expecting some storms over the weekend, so maybe the change in pressure will stimulate her to lay, I have observed this with several of my other females, for what its worth.

The stress of the RI could obviously be a possible issue with egg retention. Not sure where your temps are currently, but the most effective range for RI therapy is the low 90's for tropical pythons. Just make sure the humidity doesn't fall below 70% when holding the temps this high. Maintain these temps through, and somewhat past, any period of antibiotic administration as well. Unfortunately, temps that high with a gravid python could be problematic for the eggs, so upper 80's would be recommended until the egg issue is resolved. Good luck, and will be interesting to see if she lays this weekend.

Kelly