What Is Egg Binding?

What Is Egg Binding and how do you prevent it?

Female reptiles can experience egg binding or Dystocia including turtles, snakes, and lizards. Egg binding is when a female cannot pass her matured eggs through her reproductive system.

If your pet reptile is experiencing egg binding contact your veterinarian because complications can lead to other issues including death of eggs, scarring of reproductive tract and death of the female reptile.

What causes egg binding? There are various things that can cause it. Some of these include large or malformed eggs, lack of nesting site, malnutrition, improper environment conditions, dehydration, and stress. Reptiles that have hormonal disorders, diseases, infections, may also experience egg binding along with female reptiles that are too young or too old.

This issue can possibly be prevented with proper care and nutrition.

Reptiles require a private area with the right nesting material to lay their eggs or give birth. If they have the right nesting area they will lay down there and lay their eggs. As with all reptiles the proper environment conditions are needed. Their home should be kept at the proper temperature with the right lighting and the right humidity level.

Proper nutrition can keep a reptile healthy so they don't get too tired to give birth or lay eggs, a good diet also prevent dehydration and other health issues. Make sure a female reptile is not in an overcrowded tank or stressed about anything.

Depending on what type of pet reptile you have the signs of egg binding will differ. Snakes may lay some eggs, but have swelling. They may also show discomfort and make birthing efforts without laying any eggs.

Turtles may also have swelling as well as breathing difficulties. Turtles may also seem depressed and strain. Lizards also seem depressed and strain as well as be lethargic.

If egg binding occurs a vet can treat it with surgical removal of egg, hormonal stimulation, or physical manipulation.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.