Is she egg-bound??

[JPBarm]

My name is Pablo Lupinacci, from Argentina. I had breed ball python for seven years succefully, but now, I had a problem with my favorite female, that I suspect is egg-bound. She is a python of 14 years old, and 3,8 kgs.
She made her pre-shed in December 12 of 2009, I expected ovoposition for January 12 of 2010 (In all opportunities I breed in the past, egg laying takes 29-32 days after this shed). I palpated almost 8 eggs, and the female was in good condition, at the right temperatures, and with a nest box full of humid spaghnum moss. In January 14 (33 days after shed) she laid a small, yellow, soft, infertil egg. And stop laying. Today is January 17 (36 days after shed) and no more eggs was laid.
I`m thinking that had pass to much time and I`m worried about my female health if I continue waiting for the rest of the eggs. Tomorrow, I will perform a cutaneous ovocentesis with the first egg. I hope it wasnt`t too late. In Argentina, there`s no really good vets of reptiles, but if my python is egg bound, I think that the only solution is sugery. I had read for a maximun of 45days after shedding, but If she laid only one egg in January 14, I suspect that she can`t lay the rest.
Your opinnions are very important helps for me. Sorry for my english.
Thanks
Juan Pablo

[RichsBallPythons]

Pictures would be great way to know. But if your able too you can help assist eggs out to get her rolling as one may have flipped making it harder to move out.

YouTube - Egg Bound Ball Python

[JPBarm]

Pictures would be great way to know. But if your able too you can help assist eggs out to get her rolling as one may have flipped making it harder to move out.

YouTube - Egg Bound Ball Python

Thank you!!. In my case, the egg is not so close to the vent, I will make a massage and soaking previosly.

[BallsUnlimited]

hope everything works out for you. Keep us updated on her condition.

[jason79]

That's a great video. Any idea what the metal thing he is using is?

[2kdime]

Probably just a sexing probe

That's a great video. Any idea what the metal thing he is using is?

[Dave Green]

Juan, don't mess with her, let her go. 36 days is too early to worry. I've had females drop a slug and then lay perfectly fine clutches afterward. If she is eggbound you should know it as she will probably move arround a lot,appear uncomfortable and mess up her cage.

[SlitherinSisters]

Oh wow good luck with her! Hopefully some more people chime in soon and give their opinions.

[Sloanreptiles]

Females will often times lay slugs days before the fertile eggs are due to come. 36 is nothing to worry about people have waited 54 days for eggs. Just watch her for signs of contractions and movement in the next week.

[West Coast Jungle]

if they are not so low yet I would assume she is not ready to lay. I have heard of a 54 day period after prelay (not so good on the nerves I'm sure) and also that slugs do go shorter periods than fertile eggs.

Hang in there and best of luck compadre.