[Crested Lady]

Hi Slizards,

I actually had a female become egg bound not too long ago and she pulled out of it just fine. Here's what happened... it may give you a sense of what you can do for your girl.

After a week of waiting for my girl to drop her eggs (I can always tell within a few days of when they're going to lay... both by my record keeping and by palpatation), I took her to the vet.

Unfortunately, in my area, we don't have any vets that are willing to work with reptiles. I called every vet in town, even the emergency vet that charges a bazillion dollars just for a Band-Aid... noone would see her until I called Banfield (at PetsMart... that was opening THAT DAY).

After examination, I was the one who had to tell the doctor what was wrong. He had no clue what kind of gecko it was or if she was eggbound. (I showed him where the problem was and how to palpate the egg... I'm the one that gave him the diagnosis.) I asked him about several treatments. I asked whether an injection of oxytocin would work, whether he knew someone who could do the surgery, whether he could do SOMETHING. He left to call another vet and then told me that the only thing he could do was subcutaneous fluids now and surgery later. However, he said that surgery would most likely kill her, that she would die from the stress of it. Since surgery was about $250-350 and he said that she would probably die anyway, that option was out.

He took her in the back and gave her subcutaneous fluids (even though I could have easily done this at home. I'm used to giving vaccinations, microchippings, and subcutaneous fluids from my previous jobs. HOWEVER, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED!!!) and then sent her home. I watched her like a crazy person for any signs of stress and/or pain... and aside from being a bit lethargic, she showed none. In the meantime, I upped her calcium dosage SOMEWHAT (do not overdose your animal) by giving her liquid calcium drops every now and again.

Animals become eggbound for several reasons:

1.) lack of calcium (which probably wasn't the case with mine, her calcium sacks looked great, but anything is possible)
2.) lack of proper egg-laying site. Check your lay box.
3.) The egg is just too darned big. (This appeared to be my girl's problem... however I'm still not sure.)


What you should do:

1.) Take your animal to the vet ASAP. Get liquid calcium drops. Lack of calcium, is usually the problem.
2.) Have the vet give her sub-cutaneous fluids. My vet did this to help "lubricate her insides so the egg can pass easier". Ever tried to swallow with a dry mouth? Hydrating should help that little sucker pop out if it's going to pop out.
3.) SEPARATE HER ASAP! If she's eggbound, she doesn't need the added stress of an enthusiastic male jumping on her all the time. Keep her by herself to start the recovery.
4.) Make sure she's eating and drinking. I had to syringe feed my girl and give her water this way. Make sure she stays hydrated. If you gently pull her skin and it stays "tented"... she needs more water.

The most important one:

5.) Make sure that she's actually eggbound. Some people get really nervous if the geckos don't drop their eggs on the day that expect them too. I've observed some girls digging around for days before laying their eggs. Be sure that you aren't coming to the "eggbound" conclusion prematurely. If you're not used to palpating, sometimes a large poo can feel almost like an egg. Make sure that she's pooping normally and that she doesn't just have a "really big one" in there. Make sure she stays hydrated b/c if it is a poo, being hydrated will help lessen the monster and get it OUT.

Good luck with your female! I hope everything turns out alright.