Re: Egg aspiration

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Posted by Shawn Lockhart on July 03, 2002 at 10:57:35:

In Reply to: Egg aspiration posted by VK on July 01, 2002 at 21:29:45:

I hope I don't sound jaded but I think that any vet that suggests surgery over aspiration has a real ego problem. A needle prick vs. cutting the snake open? I think this is a no brainer.
I have used aspiration to remove a number of eggs from 4 different snakes without ANY problems. Most recently I aspirated three eggs from a radiata for whom I failed to provide a proper laying site. Each was then passed successfully. The radiata has since had two clutches with 7 and 6 eggs respectively. I use a 16-18 gauge needle and a 3-5 cc syringe. I enter from the side, between scales, and not more than 1/3 of the body width. I aspirate enough fluid so that the egg can no longer be distinguished within the side of the snake. The discomfort to the snake is minimal, especially compared to surgery. I cover the puncture point with household neosporin. The egg is usually passed in 1-2 days. Always start with the ventral-most egg. Often, when this is passed, any others will follow without aspiration.
I have also once waited too long to try aspiration and the eggs had hardened to a point where they had solid yolks. This snake was approximately 10 days over due. I lost that snake to egg binding.
Cheers,
SHAWN

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: I hope I don't sound jaded but I think that any vet that suggests surgery over aspiration has a real ego problem. A needle prick vs. cutting the snake open? I think this is a no brainer. : I have used aspiration to remove a number of eggs from 4 different snakes without ANY problems. Most recently I aspirated three eggs from a radiata for whom I failed to provide a proper laying site. Each was then passed successfully. The radiata has since had two clutches with 7 and 6 eggs respectively. I use a 16-18 gauge needle and a 3-5 cc syringe. I enter from the side, between scales, and not more than 1/3 of the body width. I aspirate enough fluid so that the egg can no longer be distinguished within the side of the snake. The discomfort to the snake is minimal, especially compared to surgery. I cover the puncture point with household neosporin. The egg is usually passed in 1-2 days. Always start with the ventral-most egg. Often, when this is passed, any others will follow without aspiration. : I have also once waited too long to try aspiration and the eggs had hardened to a point where they had solid yolks. This snake was approximately 10 days over due. I lost that snake to egg binding. : Cheers, : SHAWN

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