Anemic while gravid?

[loonunit]

A friend is breeding her big female BP for the first time this year, and she's now gone 45 days since her pre-lay shed this year without laying. So today my friend took the BP to the herp vet, who took some blood, looked up/down both ends, and examined the BP's plumbing. The vet said the female is extremely anemic--her mouth was WHITE, for starters, and I think the bloodwork confirmed it? But otherwise, everything seems to be fine. So he sent my friend home and said to give the female another week.

But I confess, I'm worried. Has anyone else had experience with anemia in gravid females? This female hasn't eaten in several months (4?), and I suppose the anemia could be related to that. But, well, is this common? Or is this a indicator of some underlying condition, or an early sign of egg-binding?

At what point should we start all-out panicking?

[dr del]

Hi,

Just asking some questions to help the smart people when they arrive;

did you definately see ovulation? Have you palpated since to see if they follicles are still there or moved down her body?

can we get a pic of her - including one that shows the spine and body shape of her back third? Can we also get one of her tail area to see how close to the vent any eggs are?

What is her behaviour in her enclosure?

Did he confirm it with a blood test?

Roughly what weight is she?

How long did the pre-lay shed take compared to her normal sheds?


dr del

[loonunit]

Well, again, it's not my snake, so my friend may correct me, but I do know she missed ovulation. However, follicles were palpated beforehand and eggs afterward--total count is 6 big ones and 2 or so boobs/slugs. The snake has been curled in a neat cinnamon bun on her warm spot for the last several weeks. She was restless two weeks ago, and again two days ago, but basically she has just been hanging out on her warm spot. I don't know her current weight, but her pre-breeding weight was around 2500 grams. The snake is a 2006, and this is her first clutch.

I believe the anemia was confirmed with bloodwork? I'll have to check. And I'll see if I can get my friend's permission to post a pic.

[loonunit]

And this is day 46 post-shed.

[Matt K]

I don't think 46 days is that extreme of a post-post-ovulation shed period. Just give her some time, she'll drop those pearly whites. I know it must be hard waiting, and I'm sure it's frustrating thinking she's in bad health, but I'd say the more you stress her with vet trips and blood work the longer it will take for her to lay. Now if weeks pass and you have good reason to think she's impacted, well that's another story. I'm pretty sure though I've read of several people having experience with girls going way over 30 days after their post-ovulation shed. Good luck though, I'm sure your patience will be rewarded (your friends more so suppose, haha).

Cheers,
-Matt

[loonunit]

Day 48! And we have EGGS.

[dr del]

Aaaaaand relaaaax,

Kidding!

I was dancing a round like a mincing marrionette when I found every clutch so far.

What was the final count - and what was the pairing again?



dr del

[loonunit]

4 so far, but she's still laying.

For the record, my friend was much more relaxed about her snake taking 40+ days to lay than I was! The herp vet said the female's muscle tone was good, so she clearly wasn't wasting away because of impaction. So my friend was happy to keep waiting.

[RichsBallPythons]

average is 25-40 days but some have experienced a 100 day post ovulation shed. They lay when ready

Good Luck

[loonunit]

Looks like 6 eggs! Pairing was a lesser to normal.

...100 days? Seriously? Do these snakes not read the Ball Python Manual?