Urgent Care :: Res currently laying eggs in the water

[taylormaid]

This spring, my female Res layed eggs for the first time ~ she caught me totally unaware & layed them in the water.

I have been watching her for signs that she is gravid again, notced them a few weeks ago. I tried taking her out of the tank ~ put her into a large container w/sand & a basking lamp, but she just freaked out the entire time. When I put her back into her tank, she no longer displayed signs of being gravid.

Tonight, I noticed she has been resting on the bottom of the tank & much more calm than normal. And a few minutes ago I just noticed an egg in the water. Don't know how long it has been there? But it is broken, so long enough for my male to get to it.

Last time, she had 11 eggs. Plus, she is obviously bulging around her backside. So I am expecting more. My question is this: should I allow her to stay in her tank? Or put her into the makeshift nesting area?

I know it is unhealthy for a Res to lay eggs in the water, but it appears she is already in egg-laying mode. I don't want to disturb her & stop the process. She is pretty high strung. How detrimental would it be to her to interrupt her now? Since she has done this in the water in the past, would it be better to let her continue?

I was planning on constructing a nesting area that is attached to the tank over X-mas break, but unfortunately, my turtle is ready before me =(

[marisa]

Can you fix a nesting area she can get to if she wants to? If not, can you at least have something ready to put her in? I don't think I'd drag her out of the tank if she looked like she was in the process of actually laying but if she started acting restless and digging, I'd have a nesting area ready to put her in.

[taylormaid]

I can't think of a way to fix an impromtu nesting area that is accessible from the tank. What I have is a large rubermaid tub filled w/sand & soil. It is currently in the bathroom w/a basking light on it to warm up the mixture.

(This is a post/pic of her in it a few weeks ago http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... highlight=)

My concern is that she freaks out sooo much whenever she is taken out of the tank. I just don't know if the benefits of her laying outside of the tank outweigh the risks of interrupting whatever "state" she is in to lay eggs?

I just checked in on her, and she is attempting to eat the egg she produced ~ yuck =( So can I assume that it is safe to move her?

While waiting for a reply, I went to the pet store & purchased a night-time heating bulb. I am hoping that if she is in semi-darkness (rather than full on basking light brightness) she will freak out less ~ and maybe even forget she is out of the tank.

Any suggestions? Advice?

[marisa]

I think I would try removing her for a bit if all she's doing is trying to eat the egg (and I'd net out the egg if I could to keep the tank water cleaner).

[taylormaid]

She is out of the tank now & in the bathroom nesting area. I have the infrared light on her, and so far she is alright.

I have one more concern, Marisa if you are still on here ~ in the past when I have put her into this box, she tries to escape & inevitibly ends up on her back. How dangerous is this for her? I am sure it will stress her out, but will it alter or impair her breathing? Or anything else, for that matter?

Unfortunately, I have to wake up for work in 9hrs & should be going to bed soon. However, I am leary to leave her in the box all night w/out supervision.

Would you suggest I set an alarm at intervals to check on her?

(By the way ~ I am a nurse, you would think that someone who takes care of people for a living could handle a *turtle* for crying out loud I swear, people are easier!)

Anyway, thanks for all of your help =) I appreciate it!!!

[SpotsMama]

A healthy turtle can flip herself back over if she falls on her back. It does, however, use up energy, like you say, and it would be best if she could use her energy for the laying.

Be sure the container she's in is big enough so that if she falls backwards she doesn't hit her head on the opposite wall.

I'm afraid my turtle is a male so I don't have first hand experience. I just opened your post and it's pretty late now, so you've probably already made your decision about whether to leave her in the nesting box or not. If you haven't, if she's still acting stressed about being in the box, if it were me I'd put her back in her tank.

Good luck to you and your girl.

[taylormaid]

Thanks SpotsMama =)

I left her in the nesting area all night ~ kept setting my alarm at 3hr intervals to check on her. No eggs yet, but OF COURSE she finally looked comfortable & was done freaking out when it is time for me to leave for work! I considered leaving her in the box, but I will be gone about 10hrs & have the box in the bathroom w/both a nighttime basking lamp & small space heater on. I don't feel comfortable leaving that heater on while I am not home, and my house is a little chilly ~ don't know if the basking lamp alone will provide enough warmth. I mean, I know it warms up the imediate area, but I don't think it will warm up the entire box. ~ Which is pretty big ~no chance of her hitting her head

Poor Cuatro =( I've got her back in the tank now, will move her into the nesting box again when I get home this afternoon. Wish her luck

[SpotsMama]

Oh I do wish her luck! I suppose it's like being in labor for them. It's hard on you too - I wish you luck too!

[taylormaid]

Back home ~ still no eggs.

Poor girl was just sitting in the bottom of the tank, her eyes closed & her back legs stretched out. My male kept sniffing around her tail area ~ and she just ignored him. She didn't even freak out (much) when I lifted her out of the water.

She is back in her nesting area ~ and busily trying to escape. Hopefully she will soon appreciate the peace & quiet. I will be at home for the next 16hrs before I have to leave again, hopefully she will start laying eggs!

If not, I'll call the vet Monday am. I swear I have read on here about turtles laying eggs over a period of time, is that correct? I am just worried that her "labor" period has ended & won't begin again unless she is induced. Has anyone had to induce a turtle? Any guess regarding price?

Poor thing ~ she isn't acting right & looks miserable

[marisa]

Sometimes they don't lay their eggs all at once. If the vet determines she still has eggs to lay, s/he may inject her with oxytocin to help her expel them. Sorry, I don't know the price. Since she has been laying eggs without any problems, the vet may opt to wait to do this and may have some other suggestions for you. Good luck. I hope both of your ordeals are over soon.