HELP PLEASE, female panther not digging

[ambi16]

Hi all,

I have a 2 year old ambilobe that is gravid and was due to lay 5 days ago. Currently she is massive and totally full of eggs but she is not interested in digging at all. She just wonders around the middle to top of her tree occasionally picking off the odd cricket. Tonight i found 3 random eggs on the floor and not even a sign of digging. Why is this?

Could it be possible that she just cant keep the amount of eggs in her?. She is one of the laziest chams I have ever owned so could that be her problem? I have given her the same setup as my others which always lay without any concerns.

Any ideas more than welcome.

 

[meleondollars]

Have you dug any holes in the sand? That might work.

 

[Thompson]

Sounds like she may be eggbound. How deep is her laying bin? Should be 12" deep filled with either organic soil or washed play sand. I would get her to a vet so she can get a shot. (don't know the name of the shot they give eggbound females ) It should make her lay eggs so she won't die from the egg binding. I hope you can help your girl.

 

[suzi]

I agree with thompson, she needs oxytocin right away or she will go down hill rapidly and probably not survive a week.

 

[pantherlover]

Its called oxytocin. It is used to induce contractions. If she has been eating sparsely, she could be running too low on enough calcium to fully produce the eggs. If she has dropped a few but not many, she has probably become egg bound. When you take her she will also need a shot of calcium. Some vets will give both at one time, some will wait a little while after the calcium shot to give the oxytocin. More than one shot may be needed. If she drops quite a few of the eggs after the first shot, conclude your vet visit with an x ray to ensure she hasnt got another few floating around in her which could also become fatal.
How is her coordination?

 

[ambi16]

Thanks everyone

laying bin is 12" deep with play sand, I have dug one hole for her just underneath some leaves so should feel quite secure. Im at work all day so she does not get disturbed anyway. I will see what happens tomorrow then if nothing appears will take her to the vet.

I have only had her since jan so cant be 100% sure of age and I dont think she has had the greatest of care prior to me having her. She seems happy enough so will probably get an appointment booked for tomorrow evening if all else fails.

Again thanks for the help and will keep you posted.

 

[Olimpia]

Try putting her in a much bigger laying bin with no way out. My female veiled wouldn't use her laying bin until I left her in one and in 20 minutes she started digging and laid all her eggs without issue after that. I used a kitchen trash can.

So long as you can't take her to the vet until a day from now, leave her in a large laying bin overnight and tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Cover her cage if you dont put her in the can. Ive had females that wouldnt lay without the front of the cage covered to make them feel secure. Cut a small eye sized hole so you can peek in oc occasion and check on her.

 

[kolorburst chams]

oxytocin

how much oxytocin should be given and where should it be injected?

 

[kinyonga]

You need a vet to inject the oxytocin. She should be given a shot of calcium at the same time since it also helps with the muscles.

 

[kirekameleon]

Try putting her in a much bigger laying bin with no way out. My female veiled wouldn't use her laying bin until I left her in one and in 20 minutes she started digging and laid all her eggs without issue after that. I used a kitchen trash can.

So long as you can't take her to the vet until a day from now, leave her in a large laying bin overnight and tomorrow and see what happens.

I would certainly try this idea, and I am going to try it as well, Thanks Olimpia I am having the same issue with my Veiled.

 

[kolorburst chams]

I bought oxytocin from dr fosters it came with small insulin type needles,I got it for my dog who was past due.I wish i knew the amount to inject into a panther cham and where the injection site would be.guess i could ask my vet.