Egg-Bound Cave Rat...

[Simon R. Sansom]

Well, my female Caver retained an egg. After waiting for a week for her to get rid of it, I decided to deal with it myself (since my local vet couldn't be bothered).

With expert guidance from several very knowledgeable, and qualified, herpers I was able to obtain the equipment needed from the vet, and performed the procedure at home.

The egg was very high up in the oviduct and I was unable to move it at all by manipulation.
So a "paracentesis" was indicated in order to drain the contents of the infertile egg to facilitate it's expulsion.

Equipment required;

1) 18 gauge I.V. catheter.

1) Small syringe (10 or 20 cc).

Some alcohol (for disinfection, not drinkin', lol!) and some betadine ointment.

It's also nice to have a willing helper, or two, or three!

Method;
The snake must be firmly, but gently, immobilized, and the section to be worked on must be held on it's side, because the catheter will be inserted between the scales at the junction between the belly scales and the side scales at a 45 degree angle from the rear of the egg.
Rubbing alcohol was swabbed liberally around the planned site of penetration and the the catheter was firmly, but nervously, pushed between the scales, through the snake's side and into the egg. The snake only flinched when I stuck the catheter in. I was quite amazed.
The needle was then slid out of the cannula and the syringe was then gently screwed onto the cannula. A gentle pull on the plunger was all that was necessary to get the very liquid yolk flowing into the syringe.
In this pic you can see the egg contents filling the syringe (Sharon, my better half, is holding the snake and the syringe so that I could snap a quick shot)...

It was necessary to unscrew and empty the 10cc syringe once before the "operation" was complete. I'd say that we got about 18 cc's or so out of the egg.
Then we just withdrew the cannula, applied some Betadine ointment to the wound (which didn't even bleed, by the way) and that was it.

Now it's just a matter of waiting for her to pass the deflated shell. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for looking and reading!

Cheers!

Simon

[BoidKeeper]

I would have been shaking like a leaf. I'm glad eveything went well. I hate to ask but is there a chance she may not pass the shell?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Matt]

wow, very nice work simon, im impressed!
congrats on a job well done

[Simon R. Sansom]

Trevor; LOL! I WAS shakin' like a leaf! And yes, there is the possibility that a deflated shell may not be passed, but the size has been reduced so that it's no longer such a gross obstruction.
In this case the shell has moved down near the vent, so I'm optimistic that she'll pass it. I'm just wondering whether or not to start feeding her. I'm thinking that perhaps some food in her system may help move the shell out!

Matt; Thanks for the kind words! I was quite apprehensive about actually doing this at first, but once you've done it you realize how simple the procedure actually is.

Simon

[Simon R. Sansom]

Oh, and before I forget, I'd like to sincerely thank three of the best herpetoculturists I know, Dr. Philippe Blais, Mr. Roy Stockwell and Mr. Corey Woods for their invaluable contributions and encouragement during this rather nerve-wracking time. Couldn't have done it without you, guys!

Simon

[BoidKeeper]

I'm thinking that perhaps some food in her system may help move the shell out!

I would think so. Good luck.
Trevor

[Tim and Julie B]

Holy ****! Simon that is incredible! Way to go you have to feel pretty damn proud of yourself! I think any one would be shaking doing that! And you even took the time to take a pic! Great job Simon.

[Simon R. Sansom]

Well, I've been advised that I should start feeding her again, so I've got a small rat thawing out for her to ease her back into it.
I'll keep you posted on how she progresses.

Thanks everyone for all of the great comments.

Has anyone else here run into a similar problem?

Cheers!

Simon

[Flo]

I had my vet perform the same procedure on my speckled kingsnake two years ago. Everything went well, and she passed the deflated shell (with some yolk left in it) within 24 hrs. So your snake should be fine.

Congratulations on doing it yourself. I'm impressed.

[silke]

wow...absolutely amazing

fantastic job

I wonder if a warm bath would help loosen her up ...

I had to do the same proceedure this year myself(the gutata form under never give up). Mine passed the deflated egg about 48 hours later in her nesting box. It too was my first time and the feeling is great when you know that you've prevented the death of the animal. Congratulations.

[Gillards]

Nice work Simon!!!!! I had sorta of the same thing this year with a L.m.thayeri, only the egg was manipulated to the vent, drained and then pushed out. I also have Cory Woods to thank!!!!!Hey come to think of it, Cory is always over here helping me out!!
Paul

[Thomas]

Congrats you guys!

[gonesnakee]

Hope she passes it OK for you Simon. I have had success in the past with feeding animals in the same situation (DO SO AT OWN RISK). The prey helps push things down from the inside. Watch that it does not "bung her up" though as sometimes it only adds to the "blockage". I had a Corn snake just the other week that I had fed a couple of times & the egg that she had retained quite high up was pushed down near her vent. It had to be aspirated from there though as the liquids were passing but the egg & the solids weren't. She passed the aspirated egg the next day along with the biggest poop I'd every seen from a Corn snake. Looked more like it came from a small boa or dog LOL. All ended well but when you feed them in these instances you do risk constipation in your snake. So be warned that it is not nessicarily recommmended but it has been effective for me in the past. If you feed her before she passes it make sure you monitor her wastes to ensue that she can still pass them all, not just the liquids. Good Luck Mark I.

[Simon R. Sansom]

Thanks everyone!
All of the responses have been fantastic, and it's great to hear from others who have had similar experiences.
This is what makes herpin' really worthwhile!


All the best to EVERYONE!

Simon