Intro to Egg Binding in Iguanas

September 20th, 2009 |

Author: More // Pets, Livestock, and Wildlife // ArticlePros.com

Egg binding is a condition that only affects females. It occurs when they are unable to expel eggs from their reproductive tract. Only females who have reached sexual maturity are at risk. This condition, which is very serious, can be fatal in just days. You may be wondering what exactly causes this.

Causes

Iguanas can experience egg binding for many different reasons. Females that produce malformed or large eggs are particularly at risk. Some females are unable to pass eggs because they were born with an anatomical defect. Females that don’t have access to a proper nesting site may procrastinate until the eggs are too large to pass. Kidney disease, lack of calcium, and obesity are other common causes.

Signs

The presence of a swollen abdomen is common in pregnant iguanas. However, this sign is also common in females who are egg bound. Egg bound iguanas also typically experience lethargy and depression. Although they will keep straining to lay eggs, they won’t be able to.

Diagnosis

Initially, a physical exam may be performed. However, the vet may be unable to determine if the iguana is indeed egg bound. An x-ray will likely need to be performed in order to make a definitive diagnosis. An ultrasound and x-ray can help determine if eggs are present and their location in the reproductive tract.

Treatment

The veterinarian will have multiple options when treating egg binding in iguanas. If he is experienced enough, he may elect to lubricate the cloaca and gently try to coax the egg out. This is risky because it’s usually fatal if the eggs breaks open inside the female. Another common option is surgery. Sometimes, the reproductive tract will be removed during surgery to prevent the problem from recurring.

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