Re: Need help from the pros eggs won't come out

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Posted by Ronda on July 12, 2002 at 00:00:53:

In Reply to: Need help from the pros eggs won't come out posted by Rob on July 11, 2002 at 20:12:37:

Hi Rob,

How many days has it been since her last shed? If she dropped the first few slugs about 10 days after a shed, and it has been 2-3 weeks since then, I would say she needs help quickly. Generally I would recommend taking measures to get the remaining eggs out if it is 48 hours since the initial clutch was laid. By now, the eggs have probably hardened, and you will not be able to aspirate them. Having the eggs close to her vent is a plus. If this were my snake, I would take a lubed up sexing probe and gently insert it into the vent towards the egg. Once you bump into the end of the egg, make a gentle circular motion around the base of the egg to disperse the lubrication. Then remove the probe and apply gentle pressure on the other end of the egg to see if the egg can be pushed farther towards the vent. I've never waited more than a few days on stuck eggs though, so I have no experience with older, harder eggs. If you are uncomfortable at all with assisting the snake yourself (as the above procedure can cause permanent damage if done incorrectly, or the egg is punctured, or any number of other things that can go wrong), then please take the snake to a qualified reptile vet.

Good luck,
Ronda

Follow Ups:

Re: Need help from the pros eggs won't come out Rob 07/12/02 (3)
- Forgot to tell you this.... Rob 07/12/02 (2)
  - I would not wait..... VK 07/13/02 (1)
    - Do not wait more than a week... glenn n nancy 07/16/02 (0)

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: Hi Rob, : How many days has it been since her last shed? If she dropped the first few slugs about 10 days after a shed, and it has been 2-3 weeks since then, I would say she needs help quickly. Generally I would recommend taking measures to get the remaining eggs out if it is 48 hours since the initial clutch was laid. By now, the eggs have probably hardened, and you will not be able to aspirate them. Having the eggs close to her vent is a plus. If this were my snake, I would take a lubed up sexing probe and gently insert it into the vent towards the egg. Once you bump into the end of the egg, make a gentle circular motion around the base of the egg to disperse the lubrication. Then remove the probe and apply gentle pressure on the other end of the egg to see if the egg can be pushed farther towards the vent. I've never waited more than a few days on stuck eggs though, so I have no experience with older, harder eggs. If you are uncomfortable at all with assisting the snake yourself (as the above procedure can cause permanent damage if done incorrectly, or the egg is punctured, or any number of other things that can go wrong), then please take the snake to a qualified reptile vet. : Good luck, : Ronda

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