Egg Binding |
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and Sickness |
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There are several things that can result in egg
binding, but there is no clear answer. Disturbances
during egg laying, improper habitat, poor care and poor
nutrition can all result in egg binding.
Symptoms
Your lizard will be moving around the bottom of her habitat,
just like healthy, gravid lizards. However, she will continue
digging previously dug holes. Her body will be enlarged,
misshapen, and bumpy. The eggs may be visible to the naked
eye. You will be able to feel the eggs in her abdomen
as well.
Treatment
Take your lizard to the vet immediatly. Egg binding
can cause death, and treatment should start in the early
stages. The vet will give your lizard a shot of oxytoxin
(a hormone) to induce the egg laying process. The vet
may try the oxytocin a couple times. If the shot is not
successful, the eggs will have to be removed through surgery.
Most vets will tell you the prognosis is guarded for surgery,
which means they can not guarantee survival. Surgery is
a must at this stage however, as eggs still in the womb
will decay, and the lizard will die. |
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