Worried for Xena- gravid

[XoVictoryXo]

I am hoping this is her last clutch of eggs and she can just live a normal happy gecko life! She hasnt eaten her beloved insects in 3 days and I got really worried so today I administered flukers liquid nutrients. I tried crix silkies mealworms butterworms even the taboo waxworms which she used to be obsessed with but wants nothing to do with them. The last 2 clutches she ate right up to the day she laid, so this is wearing her out. Her tail is thinner then before she became gravid so I am a bit panicked now. If she doesnt lay within the next 2 days and still hasnt eaten I am taking her straight to the vet!
She really made a mess and did not want to even eat the flukers but with a little effort she finally complied. I had to give her a bath afterwards as she had the nutrients all over her. I know her eggs are right on the verge of being laid. She is digging around and if she isnt digging she is resting in her laybox.
I have one egg currently in the incubator and have a happy home planned for it or should I say if its ever going to hatch. Or I might fall in love and keep it.lol
Please pray my babygirl Xena has smooth sailing with this lay and goes back to her happy fiesty self

 

[XoVictoryXo]

forgot to include the updated picture of her. She has the flukers a over her face and on the sides of the carrier cage

 

[Schmidty]

Beautiful girl! I think you should just wait a couple more days, constantly checking for her eggs so you can catch them before anything happens to them.
If she doesn't lay within the next 2-3 days, dont hesitate to bring her to the vet in fear of egg binding!
Good luck with your beauty <3

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Thank you!
Ok I will wait until monday before I call the vet. Lets go eggs! I think Ill order some phoenix worms in the meantime she loved those in the past.

 

[Nativeson]

Did you keep records of the dates the other clutches were laid? I've found that they get in cycle and that can be used as when to expect more....most of my females lay at around 20 days between clutches. Keep a close eye on her, an egg bound female will be in obvious discomfort and not acting like herself. Do NOT hesitate or wait to long, egg binding takes them downhill extremely quick. Good luck and let us know!!

Patrick

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Nativeson]

Wanted to add.......It seems very normal what she's doing! A lot, not all, of my females will stop eating and start digging!!! That's a sign to start looking for eggs, in my experience once they start digging it usually happens in 48 hours or less.

Patrick

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mardy]

I've noticed most will stop eating around 2-3 days before laying, but some will stop eating for a week before laying. They do act differently so don't be too alarmed just yet. Not eating while being gravid is more of a norm for them.

Don't forget they could also reabsorb the eggs, therefore not laying at all. It's my experience when they are reabsorbing the eggs, they don't eat much either.

One word of caution. Unless you have a really good reptile vet out there that knows leopard geckos, a lot of vets don't know how to determine if a gecko is egg-bound or not. This isn't always their fault either, because even a really good reptile vet can have a difficult time assessing whether a gecko is egg-bound or just in the process of reabsorbing the eggs. It's a tough call. And the surgery isn't 100% so you'd be taking a chance with your gecko's life one way or another.

For now though, she needs less stress, and be left alone more often. Moving her around right now or even taking her in to see a vet will create unnecessary stress. Stress lowers their immune system, which in turn causes a lot more problems for them than we think. Less stress is the better way to go for her in my opinion, let nature take its course.

 

[cricket4u]

It's something new to you so it's normal to be overly worried. I wouldn't be too concerned unless you notice straining and lethargy.

 

[cricket4u]

forgot to include the updated picture of her. She has the flukers a over her face and on the sides of the carrier cage

She has gained a few grams since the last picture which is great. She actually looks good now, gravid and no pockets(bubbles).:cheer: What's her weight? Can you also tell me what are temps and humidity in the enclosure? Just for data collecting purposes.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

I need to buy a scale! Warm side is 87 degrees cool side is 78. Its been hot here so ac is on. Humidity looks to be 60%. Question maybe dumb but how do i get an air temp with this laser beam temp gun. I turned off red heat lamps for fear i would cook them in this summer heat.
No eggs today. I did keep track on a different thread i made posts when her last two clutches dropped so thats a good idea to check the timing. Thanks guys! I dont know if i should give her flukers tonite?

 

[XoVictoryXo]

first clutch april 8th, 2nd clutch was may 2nd

 

[cricket4u]

I need to buy a scale! Warm side is 87 degrees cool side is 78. Its been hot here so ac is on. Humidity looks to be 60%. Question maybe dumb but how do i get an air temp with this laser beam temp gun. I turned off red heat lamps for fear i would cook them in this summer heat.
No eggs today. I did keep track on a different thread i made posts when her last two clutches dropped so thats a good idea to check the timing. Thanks guys! I dont know if i should give her flukers tonite?

You don't have a scale, do yourself a favor and get rid of those eggs.:biggrin: I am not being mean, but you know what a handful and expense they can be. She is on the small side, but does not appear unhealthy. I would not put her through the stress of forcing her to eat at the moment. It's normal to stop eating a few days before laying. Has she remained active? Do the eggs in her belly feel hard?

The best way to check air temp is with a thermometer similar to this Zilla Terrarium Hygrometer Thermometer Reptile Thermometers & Hygrometers which you can move around. I don't want you to overheat her of course, but provide warm enough temps which encourages egg laying. Normally you will need a lower watt bulb during the warmer months. Remember no higher than 85f air temp in small enclosures.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

She is really active at night with the digging and attempts to climb the glass. Not lethargic, except during the day she is sleeping. When I am moving around the cage she is alert looking at me.
Here is a little bit of a better picture of her weight. bad quality cell pic I am charging my digi cam batteries

OK No liquid nutrients tonight. no more stressing her out. I think we are both stressed out. ;/
LOL I know what you mean about the expenses!! Only this one egg is here looking good I feel like I should give it a chance, so Xena didnt go thru this all for nothing. one of my friends is begging me for the baby. But I feel you - when the next two come out I just might flush them as bad as that sounds! I am def NOT a breeder type of girl.
The eggs do not feel hard they feel soft in her belly, is this good or bad?
I can buy a scale for $10 I saw one at the tobacco shop surprisingly.

 

[cricket4u]

The eggs do not feel hard they feel soft in her belly, is this good or bad?

Good thing. So far she is acting normal it sounds.

 

[Meg]

Yeah, they do seem to move alot ans stop eating just before clutching. My females average around 16 days between clutches

 

[XoVictoryXo]

still no eggs

 

[cricket4u]

still no eggs

Is her nesting site at least a little deep? Some don't care and will even lay in water dishes, but it's best to provide a good amount of moist substrate. If you become very desperate and have a large amount at home, you can also stack a few handfuls in the warm corner right on the tile. It might encourage her to dig and lay.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

It is pretty deep, I wonder if its okay to put all that loose substrate in her tank in case she ingests it, but then again shes not ingesting anything! One of her clutches she laid in her moist hide and shredded the paper towels, Her paper towels were shredded today

 

[cricket4u]

It is pretty deep, I wonder if its okay to put all that loose substrate in her tank in case she ingests it, but then again shes not ingesting anything! One of her clutches she laid in her moist hide and shredded the paper towels, Her paper towels were shredded today

It sounds as though she was digging to find a deeper area and not finding a suitable place to lay can lead to egg binding. I guess that was before you found out to use moss or eco-earth? I know she is not eating, that's why I mentioned it. Only for a day or 2 and not the whole enclosure. Mommy needs to hide and protect her eggs.:biggrin:

 

[XoVictoryXo]

2 EGGS!!!!!!!!!!!! She laid them in plain site. Her laybox has that eco earth in it but she still chose plain site???

I just fed her lots of insects she has an appetite like no other.
PHEW Thank God!!! I am Soo relieved!!!