Kiwi's at it again...could use some help here!

[Michele654]

She's healthy but is believed to once again be preparing to release another cluster of eggs. NOT GOOD!! All was going great she was eating about 50 crickets a day then stopped and noticed her forcing a bowel movement although she already had her morning duty in the bath. I immediately called the Vet office. The Vet asked if she has been scratching at a corner of the cage lately and inquired as to her behavior recently. Kiwi had torn up all the papers at one end of her VIV. The Vet then told me Kiwi may have had a few eggs that didn't expell and now that she's stronger and healthier she is trying to get them out. They suggested I put a sandbox in her VIV and put her back on the Carnivor Care food suppliment and bath her everyday. I do it twice a day.
So this was last Friday and I have followed the Vet's advice to the letter. Kiwi has not released any eggs but LOVE digging and playing in the sandbox. Here's my Theory. She going to lay a NEW cluster of eggs not left overs.and this is why she's digging and digging.
Question, How long do they exhibit this behavior before they release the eggs. AND have any of you heard of a female releasing new eggs three weeks apart? Her first cluster was November 1st.
If nothing is expelled by Thrusday Vet appointment she's getting a x-ray to see if she has eggs. This is VERY costly and hope something resolves itself before Thursday.

 

[ladyknite]

there was someone that had eggs laid twice in the same month. both clutches were small.
Can you feel eggs or lumps in her belly?

Digging is a natural behavior, however, it doesn't explain the lack of appetite.

My dragons have always exhibited different behaviors at various points before laying. Digging and glass dancing was an on and off thing.

An xray isn't a bad idea...........it'll tell you once and for all.

 

[renich]

I agree with LadyKnight. It is possible that she could be preparing to lay more eggs. I believe the digging behavior can last anywhere to a couple of days to weeks before any eggs are laid. Each dragon is different.

As LadyKnight asks, can you feel any lumps in her belly?

 

[Michele654]

I can't feel anything unusual with her belly. She just does the glass dancing, as you call it, and digs alot and she won't eat. Classic signs of egg clusters I think. Do you tink it wise to wait at least another week before the x-ray to see if she has the eggs incass she does lay them. I've spent over $700.00 on her already this past month. I can't afford much more of this so soon.

 

[ladyknite]

dragons will lay in their own time. I'll admit that the time lapse in November 1 and now isn't typical, but not impossible. I'm inclined to wait.

You might watch her for excessive straining, blood, what appears to be yellowish substance, or discharge in what should only be fecal matter. If any of this is present, contact the emergency vet.

If you can, get an accurate weight on her tonight, then once per day to note if she's losing rapidly, indicating any dehydration. My gut tells me it's fine........so this is just a precaution.

 

[renich]

I have to agree with LadyKnight. Is the whole purpose of the vet wanting to see her and xray your beardie to see if she has eggs? If they don't have any health concerns, I would wait a bit and keep a close eye on her.

 

[Michele654]

What is the yellow discharge significate off? When she when she voided this morning her urate, fecal sack came out but it had a tough of a deep yellow fluid released with it...We have a Vet appointment tonight at 5:20pm. Tell you more then.

 

[Michele654]

We went to Vets last night and got her x-ray done. We got the worst news ever. Kiwi is FULL of eggs, one of them is sitting crosswise of her pelvis. She can't expell them becsause they are extremely fagile and not formed solidly enough. The Vet recommended surgery. A very high risk surgery and the Vet can't ganrantee Kiwi will make it through the proceedure. They have to go in to remove the eggs and will tie off her ovaries so that she not longer makes eggs. If this is not done she could simply dies of infections. Then there is the recovery, six weeks for the incision to heal. My other choice is to let her go without pain.
Last night they did inject a lubricant into her pelvic area hoping to loosen that crosswise egg and make if less difficult for her to push. When we got home I bathed her and put her to bed and I cried all evening. I have to give my decission next Thursday.

To my absolute surprise this morning after her bath, I was then feeding her while wrapped in her heating pad. I noticed she started to forcing and she got one egg out!!! I'm hoping it's the crosswise egg that was blocking the exit. I will be calling the Vet as soon as they open. Maybe she can get another
shot of the lubricant.
Has anyone of you had this experience with type of proceedure? I would greatly appreciate any thoughs of opinions on this. What would you do?

 

[zebraflavencs]

That does sound heartening ! I personally don't have any experience with this situation, but if it worked once... the odds are it will work again...

Wait a bit, see if she releases any more eggs. Getting the one out, might have allowed for the others to pass normally.

Janie

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Hopefully she will pass the rest today.
Egg binding can be a serious problem, I hope the lube worked it out.

 

[Michele654]

Thank you for you reply Janie. I'm waiting for a reply from the Vet about getting her another shot of lubricant. And to find out is this gives her a new prognosis. I will let you now. In the meantime I'm just keep crying while I keep hugging her.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Aweee.... * hands her a hanky* there there... We know you love her! Just keep your chin up, lov, and be prepared for anything...
Tom also commented... I feel he's more apt to be on the money since he's bred his dragons and has dealt with lots of little mouths that never seem to empty....
Janie

 

[Michele654]

Thank you Tom...perhaps I can ask you if you have ever had a dragon be given oxycontin to help force the eggs out. The Vet talked about this but beccasue of the crossed section egg it was not a option. Now that I believe that egg is out would the drug help?

 

[Michele654]

Kiwi released about 6 eggs on the weekend...yeaaaaah.. She has another appointment at the Vet's Thursday.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Excellent ! See ! things are looking up !
Janie

 

[Michele654]

Oh gosh Janie I'm so glad they did. The owner that had Kiwi's parent stopped in. She told me that before I do anything like put her down or otherwise that I was to give her back and she would get her to lay the eggs..Like she knows more than the Vets does now...Anyway I kinda gave her a piece of my mind about the state of her dragons and her rearing hachling being possibly the cause of all her health issues and that there was NO way she would ever get near my Kiwi.
Kiwi must have got the convo cause a few hours later she started getting the eggs out..lol

 

[zebraflavencs]

Horn worms all around in celebration ! Yippeeee !
You both done good, Ladies
Janie

 

[ladyknite]

sack came out but it had a tough of a deep yellow fluid released with it...

sorry, i've had dsl trouble lately.

this substance is comprised of the same make up of the eggs. Hormones, calcium, proteins, etc.

It sounds like she's beginning to release......hopefully she'll expell it all.

 

[Michele654]

Sorry I haven't had time to give an update on Kiwi, with all the holiday shopping and preparations time slipped by me.
Last we spoke Kiwi's condition as pretty grim but since then she's bounced back. One morning as after her bath I gave her her supplements, she started forcing as I massaged her belly and wow that cross sectioned egg came out. It was very soft and mushy. Needless to say she slept the whole afternoon. Two days later I came into the living room and she had released 5 more eggs. Some were broken so she had a rough time I'm sure. I called the Vet and brought her in and gave her a shot of oxytocin to help with provide easier delivery and sure enough that night she released 17 more eggs. Next morning she ate like a little trooper. She's looking good and her spunky character is back. She's also in a full body shed at the moment but is still eating well. Ususally, she doesn't eat much as she would shed so I'm happy she's kept her big appetite.
My main concern now is getting her weight up. After the final eggs her weight was 289grams and she's 16 inch longer so you can imagine how thin she was. So now she's at 334grams. I can't recall what the Vet said her appropriate weight should be. Does any of you know? She's 15 months and 16 inch in length.

Lastly I want to thank you all of your encouragements, advice and support. It was a close one.
Happy Beardie Holidays All

 

[ladyknite]

whoot whoot! *jumps up and down* Good to hear!
supplement her diet with anything from supers, to butter, horns to silks. Roaches add nice weight as well.