tried to lay first egg for two days, still hasn't laid second two days later

[skellie]

My female has laid seven eggs before this. On day one and two she would lay on the tile and lift her back legs into the air. I thought she was impacted and gave her warm baths (90 deg for 15 minutes) twice each day. I also offered her a few drops of olive oil which she lapped up. She has been drinking a lot throughout. Late day two she laid a large, soft egg out of the lay box. I marked it and transferred it to the incubator immediately, however it was completely green inside the next morning. No mold growing on the outside, just the contents changed color.

She is not eating, just staying belly flat on the warm tile. Wondering if anyone had experience with this leg lifting behavior or with an egg that changed color so quickly? Thank you!


husbandry:
Tile flooring, hot side 92, cold side 75. Calcium dish always available, fresh water too. Hot hide, cool hide, moist warm hide. Fed small dubia nymphs dusted with calcium every time, herpevite once a week. She has always been at least 60 grams, but her tail is definitely thinner than before she started laying.

 

[acpart]

I have definitely seen big weight loss in geckos after repeated egg laying. The ones who re-gain their weight after the season continue to breed and the ones who don't are retired.
I have never seen an egg turn green at all, much less in a day, so I have no idea what that's about. Sometimes they do lay only one egg. Take a look at her belly and see if she seems to have another egg in there. You may want to put her in the lay box regularly if you think she has another egg and see if she'll lay it. If it just doesn't come, consider consulting a reptile vet to make sure she's not egg bound.

Aliza

 

[skellie]

Thanks Aliza! I'm keeping an eye on her and giving her warm baths.

She does have another egg and is still putting her feet up- I guess trying to lay it. The egg completely changing color really seemed odd. Thanks again!

 

[Neon Aurora]

If your gecko is actually straining to lay an egg, that might be a bit more concerning than just laying one instead of two. Are you sure what you're seeing is straining? Because they might require veterinary intervention because it's a sign of egg binding.

 

[skellie]

She is raising her legs still. I have made an appointment but I don't want to put her through unnecessary surgery if she just needs more time to pass the egg.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I find often the best action to take is absolutely no action. Often trying to help causes much more harm than help, especially with a female that's about to lay eggs. I have never seen any of my females raise legs in any manner when laying or otherwise. If it seems she is doing so and straining I would get her to a vet ASAP as that is not normal. Is she does not seem to be in any distress I would make sure she has a proper lay box with moist cocofiber and leave her 100% alone for several days. No soaking, no handling, no feeding, limited light and movement around her cage, just check on her quickly once every day or two. Best of luck!

 

[skellie]

Thank you for the advice. I'll discontinue the soaking and feeding. She has cocofiber for her lay box and a towel covering the cage to prevent stress.

Added pictures of the gecko in question from tonight for a visual connection.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Unfortunately your pics didn't come through. Fingers crossed she lays her second egg and gets back to normal ASAP!

 

[skellie]

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

She looks like she's a nice healthy weight to me. As long as you aren't noticing her straining or acting strangely and you're sure your husbandry is correct, I think the best thing you can do is to leave her alone.