My CWD laid a soft egg. Is she egg-bound? What symptoms mean vet?

If she is straining to lay, she could be egg bound. She should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Incubation time is temperature dependent but typically averages around 70 days.

Thanks for reaching out about Emmy and including photos. You might want to syringe water, offer food via hand-feeding. Is she digging a nest site in the dirt? Calcium deficiencies can easily lead to egg stasis and binding. Insects are notoriously poor in calcium (lacking bones). Typically gravid females who are healthy are still active (digging an nest, etc.) but might not eat. If she remains weak, egg laying might need to be induced. Good luck.

Most birds will lay one egg every other day. The condition is more common in smaller breeds, and can be more serious as well. Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. If one is unavailable right now, provide supplemental heat, about 90 F. Soak her for 20-30 minutes in a warm Epsom salt solution, enough to submerge her vent. Dry thoroughly then use a sterile lubricant (or vegetable oil) around the vent. Monitor for lethargy, straining or difficulty breathing. If she develops any of these symptoms, she should be seen at the nearest veterinary ER immediately. Be sure to feed a balanced diet and provide a cuttlebone or mineral block for additional calcium. Limit seeds and offer mainly a commercial pelleted diet (Harrison's, Lafeber, KayTee Exact or Pretty Bird) supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thanks for reaching out about Zoey and including a photo. The nest area should also be warm, and a little moist. Try to encourage her to enter the area. If she ever becomes lethargic, a veterinary visit to induce egg laying, might be in order. Monitor food intake but also defecation. Good luck.

An egg bound gecko will be lethargic, won't eat and may continue to strain in an effort to lay eggs. The key to prevention is to minimize stress, provide proper environmental parameters and diet and provide a lay box or area for her to deposit her eggs when she is ready. You can read more about egg binding at the link below. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=3010

It's possible that an egg broke during the massage and that was the fluid released, or she may have been constipated and released a lot of stool at once, however it is best to schedule a veterinary exam to rule out any possible infection or other underlying cause, especially if she is having repeated egg-binding. Making sure she has access to calcium can help prevent egg-binding, either by offering "egg-food" treats, or cuttle bone. You can also remove any nesting material and nests in her environment to try and discourage breeding and egg laying.

Ideally, a female crested gecko should be in the 35-40 gram weight range and at least 18 months old. If she's never been with a male, the eggs will be infertile. If she was previously mated, it is possible she may have retained sperm. Female cresties can retain sperm for 6 months or longer. A gravid female will typically lay just two eggs every month during breeding season. Egg binding can be characterized by. A swollen abdomen, lethargy, loss of appetite and frequent straining to lay. This condition should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. You can read more about breeding and egg care here: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/How-to-Breed-Crested-Geckos/