I have Russians and I had to give oral meds once I used a popsycle stick to pry mouth open. It was very hard and after that I have insisted on injections. Russians really love cactus pads and I grow my own, dandelions are another favorite. I grow some of their food, I also buy organic! I dont...
When a female is pregnant it doesn't really show. They will get heavier carrying eggs, so weight is one indicator. When their ready to lay eggs they will dig a hole and you will notice that. A vet can xray them to see but its not cheap and theres no reason to put them through that.