General Care Discussion

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:07 pm **Female RES won't lay eggs**

Hello! I'm new to the forum but I've had my turtle for seven years. She is roughly 8 years old and this is the first time she's ever been gravid. I took her to the vet for an x-ray to confirm. I increased her water temp and have been feeding her shrimp treats because that's the only thing she'll eat. Otherwise when I take her out, she tries to dig on the tile floor, or outside on pavement underneath a car. I have a nice-sized container of half dirt, half sand and she absolutely REFUSES to dig in there. She just tries to climb out every time. I'm worried that her eggs will start binding soon, as it's probably been close to three weeks. What else can I do to help her? Thank you!

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 9:16 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

Did the vet do anything besides the x-rays? Any real nesting areas you can take her, like a garden bed?

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 9:57 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

The vet performed a cursory examination, weighed her etc. But that was it. She wasn't a herp specialist but I was recommended to her by the former office I took my turtle to, where there is no longer a herp vet. I live in an apartment complex and there are garden beds all over the place, but when I let her outside she either just wanders all over and ignores the beds, or makes for the shade of a car.
As we speak she is "digging" in the carpet behind our couch

she's been there for half an hour or so and hasn't given up yet

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:27 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

I't good that she's still trying. Can you carry her to those beds? You might need to moisten them a bit for her too.

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 8:21 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

Any other advice? She still refuses to try to dig anywhere except hard surfaces

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 9:58 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

If she won't make a nest, hopefully she'll end up laying them on her basking area or in the tank.

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:02 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

Does anyone know how long until eggs start to bind so i get an idea of when I have to take her back to the vet?? Or any other potentially useful tips?

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:35 pm **Re: Female RES won't lay eggs**

Based on what I've experienced, it could be a few weeks. I'm sure there are a wide range of cases to go over, but there are probably so many different factors to consider.

General Care Discussion :: Female RES won't lay eggs

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