female tortoise egg bound

[sarah1980]

Hi all,
I hope someone on here maybe able to help my family and I have had our hermanns tortoise for over 70 years she is appox 90-100 years so not a spring chicken.
In the last two weeks she laid six eggs non fertalised as she hasnt got a mate, as shes not in her prime we took her to the vets to ensure she didnt have any more, they xrayed her and found she has one remaining. I have read up and understand that they can hold them if the conditions are not not right for them to lay, my parents backgarden is prodominatly lawn and pebbles, she has tried to dig down in the pebbles but the nest keeps collapsing so i wondered if anyone could give me an idea of how too make an artificial nest.. would a cat litter tray suffice if we put in earth any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance x

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Sarah, and welcome to the Forum!

If she was able to deposit the first six eggs, then she shouldn't have any trouble with the last one. It just might be that it wasn't ready to be laid yet.

I doubt a litter pan would be deep enough. She needs to be able to dig down with her back legs until her body position is damn near vertical. So measure her extended back leg and add another 7 or so inches to it and that's how deep it needs to be. But they usually don't pick the spot YOU choose. They always go with their own chosen spot.

 

[sarah1980]

Hi Yvonne

Thanks for the reply i will measure her legs tommrrow shes about 12/13 inch long and about 9" width so shes not small!!
Weve spoken to the vet this eve as shes stopped eating over the last two days they have done another xray and although the egg is intact its not a good shape, they are talking about giving her calcium injections tommrrow to help her pass it do u know anything about these and is there anything we can do to help her lay.

many thanks for your help
sarah

Hi Sarah, and welcome to the Forum!

If she was able to deposit the first six eggs, then she shouldn't have any trouble with the last one. It just might be that it wasn't ready to be laid yet.

I doubt a litter pan would be deep enough. She needs to be able to dig down with her back legs until her body position is damn near vertical. So measure her extended back leg and add another 7 or so inches to it and that's how deep it needs to be. But they usually don't pick the spot YOU choose. They always go with their own chosen spot.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Sarah:

They first give an injection of Oxytocin, then the calcium. But the oxy doesn't work in all species of tortoise. Just make sure the tortoise is kept a little warmer than usual. Sitting under a hot light and covered to keep the heat in sometimes helps the egg to pass. Also, soaking in warm water sometimes makes the egg pass.

 

[Heardofturtles]

I can't help but would love to see photos of your tortoise when you have time.

 

[Heardofturtles]

I can't help but would love to see photos of your tortoise when you have time.

And 'best of luck' that post was supposed to say.

 

[sarah1980]

Yvonne
Thanks so much we will try that first thing, also ive read it your birthday so

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thanks for your help xx

 

[Yvonne G]

You're welcome, I hope it helps (and thanks for the BD wish).

 

[sarah1980]

Thank u heardofturtles, im sure i have a photo of her on my phone just need to figure out how to upload it... watch this space

 

[sarah1980]

 

[sarah1980]

 

[sarah1980]

Here she is figured it out

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh my. She's a beauty.

 

[sarah1980]

Isnt she just!! Although its not a true reflection of her size she actually looks fairly small in these photos and for her breed shes def not that lol

 

[sarah1980]

 

[sarah1980]

As you can see she takes up the whole washing up bowl lol

 

[Gillian M]

A gorgeous tort. GOD bless.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[Odin's Gma]

Oh my, she is even more beautiful when wet! Her shell has a gorgeous translucence, like fine, antique china.

 

[Anyfoot]

Oh my. She's a beauty.

Happy birthday Yvonne. I can not repay you with a sing song, because I don't have the knowledge to load a motion picture. So a bunch of flowers sent electronically is the best I can do. Happy birthday and all the best to you.

 

[Heardofturtles]

As you can see she takes up the whole washing up bowl lol

She's spectacular. Thanks for the pics.