How do I know if my beardie is egg-bound?

[Abbipetty]

Hey- my bearded dragon laid her first clutch of eggs two days ago unexpectedly. I found them in her enclosure under her bridge, I’m not sure how many she laid exactly, as I believe she may have ate some, but I found 7 that were hidden under paper towel. She only laid that one day, and I was wondering if she should be laying anymore? I put a container of 50lbs of playsand and water in her enclosure as a “lay bin” but she has not gone in it, and when I’ve put her in there, she just wants back out again. She acted great right after laying on that first day, but now she’s a bit less energetic, and not moving too much around her enclosure. She had went for a swim in her water bowl yesterday for a while, but still no eggs, and she also hasn’t gone to the bathroom in a few days. She has been eating, although she’s been snubbing her greens. Do I need to get her to the vet? She’s also puffing up now. But no black beard.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

So, how many eggs in total has she laid, 7 that you know of?
It is a good sign that she doesn't have a black beard. Though if she has been acting differently
since you found those eggs, & hasn't been moving much right now it is possible she could be
having some trouble.
If she continues this behavior then it might be a good idea to get her to the vet for an x-ray to see
if she has more eggs.
Keep an eye on her to be sure she doesn't start to black beard, or completely lose her appetite.
Usually they don't eat much if anything when they lay or have a lot of eggs.

Tracie

 

[Abbipetty]

Hello,

So, how many eggs in total has she laid, 7 that you know of?
It is a good sign that she doesn't have a black beard. Though if she has been acting differently
since you found those eggs, & hasn't been moving much right now it is possible she could be
having some trouble.
If she continues this behavior then it might be a good idea to get her to the vet for an x-ray to see
if she has more eggs.
Keep an eye on her to be sure she doesn't start to black beard, or completely lose her appetite.
Usually they don't eat much if anything when they lay or have a lot of eggs.

Tracie

Yes found 7, but I’m almost positive she ate some because I found chomp marks on the paper towel where the eggs were under. I’m thinking somewhere around 12-14 probably, but again, I’m not positive. Okay, how long do you think it is appropriate to wait for a check up if she doesn’t lay anymore? I have a vet appointment in 10 days, but I could try and see if I could get it earlier. Also, thank you for your response, I worry to no end about her.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is impossible not to worry yourself to death over egg laying behavior.
Sometimes they have been known to eat the eggs so perhaps she is lacking a vitamin or mineral?
Be sure to give some extra calcium for her in case she could be low in calcium reserves after her
laying.
I would maybe give it another few days to a week or so, to see if she continues to be a little more
tired, & not eating as much. Between now & then monitor her daily to be sure she doesn't develop
a black beard or act as if she is in pain or distress. Maybe she will start digging to lay more, I'm not
sure.
I think 10 days is fine, to wait unless she starts black bearding or acting completely different. Keep
us posted on how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[Abbipetty]

Hello,

It is impossible not to worry yourself to death over egg laying behavior.
Sometimes they have been known to eat the eggs so perhaps she is lacking a vitamin or mineral?
Be sure to give some extra calcium for her in case she could be low in calcium reserves after her
laying.
I would maybe give it another few days to a week or so, to see if she continues to be a little more
tired, & not eating as much. Between now & then monitor her daily to be sure she doesn't develop
a black beard or act as if she is in pain or distress. Maybe she will start digging to lay more, I'm not
sure.
I think 10 days is fine, to wait unless she starts black bearding or acting completely different. Keep
us posted on how she is doing.

Tracie

Thank you, she seems better today! Of course the day after booking her vet appointment for sooner. I will continue to keep a close eye on here, but she’s looking better for sure today, thank goodness.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I am happy to hear she is looking better now. I hope she continues to get better. You never know, they sure can cause us a lot of anxiety!

Tracie

 

[Abbipetty]

Hello,

So, how many eggs in total has she laid, 7 that you know of?
It is a good sign that she doesn't have a black beard. Though if she has been acting differently
since you found those eggs, & hasn't been moving much right now it is possible she could be
having some trouble.
If she continues this behavior then it might be a good idea to get her to the vet for an x-ray to see
if she has more eggs.
Keep an eye on her to be sure she doesn't start to black beard, or completely lose her appetite.
Usually they don't eat much if anything when they lay or have a lot of eggs.

Tracie

Hey Tracie, so today I came home and she had a minor black beard going, she seemed to be on high alert, and was a bit frantic almost. I have a vet appointment scheduled for her today at 4, in 2 hours. She had scratched at her glass, so I let her out a bit, and she acted hungry. So, I brought out a roach, and she literally jumped for it, as if I’d never feed her. Like she couldn’t get to it fast enough. She even began to dig at one? Like she looked at it and began digging around it? Her black beard went away a few minutes after I walked in, but now I’m a bit worried.

 

[Abbipetty]

Hey Tracie, so today I came home and she had a minor black beard going, she seemed to be on high alert, and was a bit frantic almost. I have a vet appointment scheduled for her today at 4, in 2 hours. She had scratched at her glass, so I let her out a bit, and she acted hungry. So, I brought out a roach, and she literally jumped for it, as if I’d never feed her. Like she couldn’t get to it fast enough. She even began to dig at one? Like she looked at it and began digging around it? Her black beard went away a few minutes after I walked in, but now I’m a bit worried.

Today, her coloring was great this morning, looking brighter than I’d seen her in a while. But, when I come home from work again, her beard was black. Fully black this time, and it lasted longer than yesterdays. I took her to the vet yesterday and brought it up, but the vet did not seem concerned, she did a physical exam, feeling her abdomen, and gave her a calcium injection. She said she seemed okay, and that the black beard may have just been some sort of stress, and that she wasn’t too worried about it. I’m strapped for money right now, as I just lost my job and have nearly completely run out of money. I do not know what to do. At the moment of writing this, she is still a tiny bit darker than normal, but she’s not exactly black bearding anymore. I’m at a loss, I have no idea what’s the matter, if it’s my husbandry, or if something is truly wrong, as the vet showed nearly no concern yesterday. She is still eating, pretty normally, just weirdly dark, all over her body as well, and acting almost timid and/a tad aggressive when she’s black bearding. The photos of her with a black beard are what I came home too, I held a roach up to make sure she still wanted to eat, and thank god she did, like normal. The photo of her with lighter coloring, was her this morning.

 

[Abbipetty]

Today, her coloring was great this morning, looking brighter than I’d seen her in a while. But, when I come home from work again, her beard was black. Fully black this time, and it lasted longer than yesterdays. I took her to the vet yesterday and brought it up, but the vet did not seem concerned, she did a physical exam, feeling her abdomen, and gave her a calcium injection. She said she seemed okay, and that the black beard may have just been some sort of stress, and that she wasn’t too worried about it. I’m strapped for money right now, as I just lost my job and have nearly completely run out of money. I do not know what to do. At the moment of writing this, she is still a tiny bit darker than normal, but she’s not exactly black bearding anymore. I’m at a loss, I have no idea what’s the matter, if it’s my husbandry, or if something is truly wrong, as the vet showed nearly no concern yesterday. She is still eating, pretty normally, just weirdly dark, all over her body as well, and acting almost timid and/a tad aggressive when she’s black bearding. The photos of her with a black beard are what I came home too, I held a roach up to make sure she still wanted to eat, and thank god she did, like normal. The photo of her with lighter coloring, was her this morning.

@Drache613 I’m sorry for so many messages, I’m just incredibly worried about my girl. The vet did not seem worried, but, I’ve had vets be wrong before. Any advice if you can would be so greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[AHBD]

Some females will at times develop a b.b, being hormonal + moody. I had one that did that bit was not sick. Did the vet not take an xray ? Because infertile eggs can't always be felt.

 

[Abbipetty]

Some females will at times develop a b.b, being hormonal + moody. I had one that did that bit was not sick. Did the vet not take an xray ? Because infertile eggs can't always be felt.

She asked if I wanted to, but said she didn’t think it was necessary at this time. Should I take her back to get one? If so, how urgently? She has had a black beard on and off since I got home, she puffs up at me when I get too close to her, like she’s threatened. She’s never done that before.

 

[AHBD]

It's up to you, if you do post it here for Tracie to check it. I can usually see eggs as well. Again, she might just be moody.

 

[Mumofmanyrescues]

I would change your vet, it is always necessary to X-ray when you have a gravid beardie. I lost one to egg bound 5 months ago and she didnt even show any signs and no digging . She was an old lady my last one was going frantic and after two days frantic I took her in had a X-ray and then injection of oxytocin. To help bring contractions on. That’s quite bad she didn’t go straight to X-ray if she’s black bearding. They go down hill so quick and if at a certain point, they won’t do surgery as they are too weak. My girl they tried on a drip all day as they said she won’t survive surgery. So trying to get her level up. However her heart gave up . Please try a different vet x

 

[Abbipetty]

I would change your vet, it is always necessary to X-ray when you have a gravid beardie. I lost one to egg bound 5 months ago and she didnt even show any signs and no digging . She was an old lady my last one was going frantic and after two days frantic I took her in had a X-ray and then injection of oxytocin. To help bring contractions on. That’s quite bad she didn’t go straight to X-ray if she’s black bearding. They go down hill so quick and if at a certain point, they won’t do surgery as they are too weak. My girl they tried on a drip all day as they said she won’t survive surgery. So trying to get her level up. However her heart gave up . Please try a different vet x

Should I take her to emergency? I’m so stressed out, she’s been active, and eating her roaches gladly but not her greens, she just went to the bathroom and it was very watery, although maybe that’s unrelated. I have no idea, I’m so stressed. Also, do you know of any financial resources or anything like that at all? I lost my job unexpectedly, and now I have no idea what to do. The vets I’ve contacted don’t do payment plans.

 

[AHBD]

Can you apply for a care credit card that's for veterinary ?