Help! Egg bound female boxie! (WARNING: graphic description)

Brit6

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I have had this girl for the last 25 years. She's laid eggs about 6 times total mostly within the last 7 years including last summer. She recently became sick after I was out of town and she was up at my dad's in an outdoor enclosure. I realized she wasn't moving, eating, and was weak. I noticed a foul odor from her hind end and upon further inspection noticed that there seemed to be an egg right inside her bum. I panicked and brought her to an emergency vet. After x-rays, it was apparent that she has 3 eggs in her, and one clearly right at the vent. Under weight, dehydrated, and malnourished. Vet gave her an IV, vitamin and mineral shot and Calcium. Sent me home with Emeraid Omnivore to assist feed her and calcium.
I went to my local reptile shop and they suggested puncturing the egg with a needle and sucking out the yolk to deflate it then remove the egg. That made the most sense instead of feeding her while she can't pass anything past the egg closest to the vent. They said they do this with snakes that get egg bound.
So, I tried that. It worked great. I got the egg out. Along with some extra chunks of something fibrous and solid that was about one inch by 1.5 inches and smelled pretty bad... she immediately felt better. Bad smell has significantly improved too. She chomped a night crawler right after that. So that was a good sign. Been giving her nice warm soaks, set up a tub with ample dirt/sand, water, greens (she's not eating any more though) with a heat lamp, sunlight lamp, and a terrarium heat pad. She looks alot better than when I first took her in, but I have some questions:
1. Can she now pass stool if the other two eggs are further inside her still?
2. Should I still be "assist" feeding her?
3. She's drinking alot of water and excreting only liquid out her vent. Is that ok?
4. Would anything else help her relax and get those eggs out?
5. She always has laid outside. When should I move her back outside to stimulate her natural digging and laying?
6. Can she pass those other two eggs without help if the one was stuck at her vent?
7.???? I'm trying so hard to help my girl!!! ANY valid comments, experience, suggestions are greatly appreciated at this point.

Thank you so much! 20190609_080025.jpeg20190609_184725.jpeg20190609_184711.jpeg20190610_230802.jpeg
 

ColleenT

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i am wondering why the vet left the eggs inside her. Most vets would know to remove them. I would not feel safe until all the eggs are out and i knew she sisn't have an ongoing infection.
 

Brit6

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i am wondering why the vet left the eggs inside her. Most vets would know to remove them. I would not feel safe until all the eggs are out and i knew she sisn't have an ongoing infection.
I completely agree. Vet said that the only way to get them out was with surgery, but didn't feel like Joan would even survive surgery...
It's difficult to find a vet who even sees tortoises here. I have an appointment with someone who supposedly knows better in two weeks. So maybe he'll be able to help her more.
 

Yvonne G

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Calcium injections along with oxytocin is supposed to help relax those muscles and move the eggs along.
 

Brit6

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I lost my girl after a great life together. I got her when I was 4. I'm 30. She was already an adult when I got her. She was old. I will forever miss her!
I love you, Joany.
[emoji292][emoji25][emoji170][emoji217][emoji24]IMG_20190617_191142_051.jpeg
 

KarenSoCal

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I just read this thread, and I'm so very sorry to hear about Joan.

It is sad that something supposedly as natural as laying eggs would cause her death, and that good veterinary care was not there in time to help her.
 

Brit6

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I just read this thread, and I'm so very sorry to hear about Joan.

It is sad that something supposedly as natural as laying eggs would cause her death, and that good veterinary care was not there in time to help her.
Thank you, Karen. I'm very very bummed and wish I could have saved her and had her live forever.[emoji174]
 

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