I don't know what to do??!??

[newbeardie79]

Hi there!

I am hoping someone here can help me...?

My female laid an egg yesterday out of the blue (unaparent to us that she was pregnant as we are complete rookies to even owning a beardie, never mind egg laying!! LOL!)

So she laid ONE, only one, egg yesterday and only pooped a little today. I gave her a warm bath and she fell asleep!! Completely limp and asleep!! (Scared me!!) We went to the reptile store and they suggested that we but some potting soil and put her in a separate tub so she can dig. So, we tried that for a few hours, but took her out becasue she just went to sleep (which isn't normal for her).

What should I do???? I am so afraid of what I've read on egg binding... but she doesn't show any symptoms yet other than not laying eggs. When they have a safe clutch, does it happen all at once? Or One egg every other day? What should I look out for? Do I need to do anything to help her? All these questions! LOL

Any advice you can give would be GREAT and APPRECIATED!!
Please check out my other post for pictures and more info.::::Stopped Eating, Hyper bouts of Digging Energy, Sleeping!?

 

[Rosebud]

I would get some kind of bin, like a really large filing tray or a rubbermaid container that fits in her viv at one end. fill it 2/3 full of moist sand/potting soil, and kinda make a mount in one corner of the container. She does need to lay more, but she might not understand the procedure if this is her first experience. You need to leave a lay box in with her so that she can start digging as soon as she feels the contractions again, and that could be anywhere from hours, to days, to weeks, like my girl. I just went through this with my 2 year old. She dug for several days and finally laid only 4 eggs. But two weeks later, she stated digging again, and three days later, laid 30! Now, three weeks later, I am shocked to announce that she just laid 22, much to my surprise. :lol: They obviously get the hang of it after the first time. :wink:

A vet visit isn't a bad idea either, and you really need to increase the calcium and feeders for her. Have you discussed your setup in the health section to make sure she is in optimal conditions to be healthy enough to lay?

 

[spyder79]

you need to set up a lay box as rosebud said.
detailed instructions below

SETTING UP A LAYBOX 101

30 gallon grey tupperware/sterlite container from Home Depot (do a smaller one if you want to put the lay bin in the tank with her which can be done if you feel she will be uncomfortable in a bin outside of her home)
1 bag of all natural top soil from Home Depot or Garden Center
You will need a 40 watt spot light bulb with brooder lamp - (unless you put her lay bin in her tank then she will not need a extra light for heat as she will be in her temp controlled environment)
Now you will need to moisten the top soil to until is very damp but not wet... I like to create a 45 degree hole in one corner of the container, and I place the female head first into that corner. Her instincts will take over from here provided the top soil or sand is warm enough. Don't use vermiculite it's not that good for digging, and it's expensive compared to sand or top soil in large quanities... So save the vermiculite for incubation of the eggs...

Before the female is placed in the lay box you need to cut a hole in the top of the lid so the 40 watt spot light can shine down inside of the bin for warmth... I cut my holes just slightly larger than the diameter of the bulb, and the brooder/lamp fixture will rest on top of the lid...

Once that's all set, your female will dig for up to 2 hours before laying... But if she's not to picky she will lay almost immediately after finishing her first hole. Now she may dig "test" holes, where she might lay 1-2 eggs on one hole, and decide she doesn't like that hole. Then cover those eggs up and move on to another hole where she might lay the remainder of the eggs. So be sure to check all of the corners of the bin before deciding you have all of her eggs.

 

[newbeardie79]

Thank you guys for all your help!!! I will get the supplies needed and see if we can get her to lay! I know she can't be comfortable! All this work she is putting into this, I feel kinda bad that they aren't even going to hatch. Guess that is just how life operates though. (I know I wouldn't want to go through all the symptoms of having a baby only to not have one! LOL )

One major question/concern I have is that she hasn't eaten in a few days now. Is this normal??? All the energy she's using up without a supporting food fuel is driving me nuts! I made a tenative vet appointment for Monday... So if she still hasn't eaten or laid, we are going dispite the hour drive.

Thanks again for all your help! I'd be SOOO lost without you guys!!

 

[rin0425]

Hi! I had the exact same problem with my first beardie. I thought she was a he and was oblivious that she was gravid. It took her 7 days to lay all of her eggs. I am a Certified Veterinary Technician I gave her calcium injections and oxytocin shots to avoid the binding problem.
Just make sure to be giving her lots of soaks and keeping her warmer to aid in muscle contractions. Even some pedialyte if you can get her to drink it will really help get some nutrients and electrolytes into her. She needs those to keep pushing. If she starts to decline or keeps pushing without producing an egg, take her to an emergency vet...dont wait because these guys can be hard to treat especially if you dont have an exprienced reptile vet around. I work at one and we cant really even treat my herps...I have to consult with doctors 80 miles away and/or drive just to have her looked at.
Good luck, Im sure it will work out. Mine did and she just layed 25 beautiful eggs now that I had everything in place.

Aaron

 

[newbeardie79]

You guys rock!!!!

She laid 20 eggs (21 including the one two days ago)!!!!

I took some pictures and will try to post them tomorrow for others who may have the same questions as I had. (she really did try to dig to China!! LOL!!! :lol:

I took her out of the lay box and gave her a warm bath, where she drank. Then put her back in her home and under her lamps. I tried feeding her crickets, mustard greens, apple, and even super worms...but she is STILL showing NO interest in food??? Her belly doesn't really have any stress spots, but she is really dark. Is this "normal" beardie behavior?

I'm sooooooo relieved, BUT am still not completely happy as she still ins't eating!!?? I know its only been a matter of a few hours, but I'm still worried. Should I be? I don't feel anything left inside of her belly. And I know she was done as she had re-burried her den.

THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH EVERYONE!! Elliot and I am so greatfull for you all!!

 

[Rosebud]

Yay!

If she doesn't start eating tomorrow, then you might need to try to rehydrate or feed her a little by syringe. But remember that she is tuckered out! She might just need a good night's sleep.

I also posted in your other thread to please consider removing that substrate. I really don't think its good for a couple of reasons.

 

[newbeardie79]

I will definately switch her over to reptile carpet! The last thing I need is to have her impacted or something bad like that. It's so funny, probably lame, but I'm so proud of her! Hehehehe!! My husband is not nearly as jazzed as I am. He wants to breed her...and I'm totally against it. I worry too much as it is...nevermind added more to the load. I'm just glad she wasn't egg bound. Thanks again for all your support and advice!

 

[rin0425]

see, nature usually works everything out...im glad this time that held true.

 

[samleo]

Hi Aaron, I see you are on line. Question for you. My female is carrying eggs and today is the first day she is not eating. I was going to let her lay in the tank. she does will they be fertile. SHe is in a 75 gallon tank. I do have a 3 gallon storage box that I can add something to and put it in her tank with her. If she drops them in the tank will they still be o.k. I have the havbator already to go. Thanks for the information. I do have the male with her. He does leave her alone and they have been together from day one. Thanks Kim

 

[rin0425]

I had a bad experience with my dragon laying in the tank, and all of the eggs molded within a week...horrible. I dont recommend it...get some nice clean dirt for her to dig in, just put it in a rubbermaid or something deep and shell do the rest. I did hav to start a den for mine the first time, but she picked it up prtty quickly. As for being fertile, only god knows at this point. One step at a time...

 

[samleo]

Thanks I hope she will wait until I can get some sand tomorrow for her. I will fill the 3 gallon tub with sand and place it in her tank but it does not mean it she will go in there. If she drops them in her tank I will do my best to remove them asap. Thanks Aaron.

 

[LJean]

Just bumping this up to help myself.

 

[newbeardie79]

Now she has stiff legs and is hiding???? Any advice?
(I pretty much copied this thread from a new post I made earlier...but since you guys already new about me and my beardie, I thought I'd add it here too!)
I am worried about my beardie. Brief History: She stopped eating, Slept A LOT, then we got her home (viv) set up properly, she then had sudden bouts of high engergy-which included glass dancing and digging, but was still not eating; then she laid 21 eggs after digging a 15" deep tunnel; I removed her from the tub'O'soil and gave her a warm bath; put her back into her home-under her lights; next day she ate a little food, today she ate A LOT of food (6 superworms, 7-9 crickets, mustard greens, collard greens) but here is why I'm worried:

When she walks, she looks like she has a severe case of arthritis (best way i can describe it)...she IS eating, but when done just goes back to crawl under her log!! She is dark and has stress spots most of the day. We gave her a bath, which my hubby said she enjoyed and lightened up a bit (I was at work), but went right back to DARK soon after. And hides under her log!! Any ideas???? THANK YOU!!!

 

[rin0425]

Go to a good vet!!! Seriously, it sounds like something may be wrong. I'm A Certified Veterinary Technician, and in my opinion its better safe than sorry. Serious complications can and will lead to death if not attended to ASAP. At the very least, you'll have a professional physically looking at your dragon and giving you the answers you need. Im NOT giving you medical advice, but my very serious and sincere recommendation.
Good luck
Aaron