Urgent - Kingsnake egg bound??

[dudesteve151]

My king snake cleo has had somthing funny but bad happen. She layed some eggs but I got her 3 months ago and it has been almost 3 months and she has not been with a male so I may take it as asextual reproduction. Thats not the point. She layed one then a couple days later(2) she layed 4 more now there still looks liek there are some nere her ventral area maby 2 or 3 I dont know. Its been proabably around 4 to 5 days and nothing. I am begginging to get worried and should I take her to a vent and what do I as for like an egg extraction!?!?
I really hope someone can help me ask other people on the form if you do not know I really love my snake and would hate for anything bad to happen to her!

[emseeKAY]

could you please post some pictures? they are very helpful, and if it looks serious enough take her to a herp vet, they should sort you out.

[Aaron_S]

She is or very close to being eggbound. It happens when a snake doesn't lay all of her eggs. This isn't something you can treat on your own and you need to find someone in your local area who can help ASAP! Where in Canada are you located?

On the topic of why she laid eggs. It takes a few months for snakes to develop then lay eggs. I also am not sure if kingsnakes double clutch or not but that could be a possibility as well.

[dragunov.762]

king snakes can double clutch and i would agree that it sounds like she is egg bound and needs to see a vet.

[dudesteve151]

Ok will try and get pic's asap but I am calling my vent it looks like there are 2 or so eggs its pritty obvouse and if she is egg bound and the vet takes them out would it be a easy thing like its over and done or is there a chance of death?Also I live in New Brunswick Near Saint John area.

[gonesnakee]

For starters it is NOT asexual reproduction LOL
Snakes once sexually mature will lay eggs whether they have ever been with a female or not. Of course all of the eggs will be infertile (slugs) but it is a very common occurrance.
If she had been with a male prior they DO have the ability to retain sperm & yes KS will double clutch, again very common.
That said does she have a suitable nesting area in her enclosure?
Is it in a nice quiet low traffic area?
Has she been left alone to do her thing?
A female that is insecure in her surroundings without a suitable lay box will often retain her eggs as long as she possibly can.
Also in the case of "slugging out" (laying infertile eggs) this will quite often take place over the period of a few weeks at times.
If she is not appearing all bunged up by her vent its best to leave her be & let nature run its course.
If she appears all bunged up by her vent intervention is likely required.
As long as none of the eggs break inside of her she can retain them for a very long time with no ill effects.
I have had them retained from first clutch until 2nd clutch & also from second clutch, thru winter brumation & then laid with the first clutch the following year before with no issues.
I have alos had cases where they got all bunged up & died in a couple days, most likley due to an egg rupture & internal poisoning from it.
You cn try & gently express the eggs yourself as well.
Slow steady pressure can sometimes help pop them out, one must be VERY carefull as to not rupture any eggs or to prolapse the female while doing so though & is best left to an experienced person.
If she is not all bunged up & appearring healthy otherwsie you can alos try a small meal if she will take it. Sometimes it will help get things moving in there.
Short baths & handling sessions after a time an help get things moving as well.
Snakes are less likley to have egg binding issues with smaller infertile eggs then they will with large fertile eggs as the smaller ones are of course easier to pass. Mark

[gonesnakee]

Oh a vet will likely inject the snake with something to help hydrate it.
Be sure to "show" the snake its water as they sometimes will just stay in their nesting box & not drink during this time & hydraation is important.
Also a vet may try a shot of Oxytocin (sp?) to give the snake muscle spasms etc. to help push, in my past expereince this has always been a waste of time.
If the eggs are large & by the vent the vet may try aspiration of them either via the vent or thru the side of the snake.
This is when you use a syringe & empty the contents of the egg making it smaller to pass.
Doing so is a risky thing specially thru the side of the snake & MUST only be done by someone that knows what they are doing!
Better off trying to manually express the eggs by hand Vs intentionally risking internally poisoning the snake from a ruptured egg, Mark