Leopard - Pregnant or fatty liver?

[Alannah]

Hello,

I was pretty sure my leopard gecko was pregnant, however she's been "pregnant" for about 6weeks now and still no sign of her about to lay an egg, which has led me to think it may be fatty liver. However, it does feel and look like an egg to me, and an expert who I asked.
She is housed with a male, but I've only had her about 6months now.

I've attached some pictures of her belly, some taken 6weeks ago, some a few weeks back, and some yesterday, all look basically the same though

If it is fatty liver what should I do? Is it something she can recover from or what? I haven't looked it up that much because I couldn't find much about it.

Please, any help!?

 

[Allee Toler]

Okay, to me she looks pregnant. I would keep an eye on her though, I can't tell if there's more follicles, but it's hard to tell. And give her a nest box ASAP.

I hate to say it, but looking at the picture more, it looks like she has follicles forming on the top left. Two of them. If she doesn't pass the white egg in a couple weeks then take her to the vet. That could be dangerous. I have a girl who's getting emergency surgery on Tuesday because of it.

 

[Alannah]

Thanks for the reply, she's had a lay box for 6weeks, it has damp vermiculite in it and I've covered the top and two sides with black card to keep it covered for her, she doesn't seem that interested in it, but I've seen her in there sometimes so she knows it's there and everything..

 

[Allee Toler]

How long has the one egg been there?! You might need to take her to the vet ASAP...

 

[Alannah]

It's been there 6weeks that I know of, I've been speaking to an expert on allexperts.com, and they say it's an egg, however they think I should wait a bit longer before going to the vet as she doesn't have the signs of egg binding.

Everyone gives such conflicting information I don't know what to do..

 

[Allee Toler]

Okay, my gecko eats, sleeps, poo's, hunts, and acts 100% normal. Follicular Stasis is what it's called, not Egg Binding. Egg Binding is when two eggs get stuck together, or one gets stuck inside the gecko. Follicular Stasis is where too many follicles (the pink circles) are formed, and become stagnant, fill with puss/blood/other fluids that are toxic. If one ruptures it can cause internal bleeding and ultimately death. The Follicle's liquid can also be toxic, and can poison the gecko.

My gecko has 2 full sized eggs on either side, not bound at all. But she has Follicular Stasis (she has 4 follicles on top of the 2 eggs). It requires surgery to remove them ASAP before the gecko dies.

Without a vet visit, she will die. Find a local exotics vet and take her to him/her.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

It's been there 6weeks that I know of, I've been speaking to an expert on allexperts.com, and they say it's an egg, however they think I should wait a bit longer before going to the vet as she doesn't have the signs of egg binding.

Everyone gives such conflicting information I don't know what to do..

When in doubt, take her to the vet. I hate that so many people that have no medical background at all, try to diagnose someones animal over the internet. And worse yet, that owners accept this as ok just to save a buck. If it was a child, you wouldn't wait. An animal is just as much a responsibility. If you're worried and you want piece of mind...go to the vet.

 

[Allee Toler]

When in doubt, take her to the vet. I hate that so many people that have no medical background at all, try to diagnose someones animal over the internet. And worse yet, that owners accept this as ok just to save a buck. If it was a child, you wouldn't wait. An animal is just as much a responsibility. If you're worried and you want piece of mind...go to the vet.

Exactly. She needs a vet. Holding eggs in that long is never healthy and a Vet can tell you exactly what's wrong, and what to do.

 

[Alannah]

It's not the money I'm worried about, the vet is a long way away and I don't want to stress her out with taking her if she doesn't need to go. I didn't know anything was wrong at first either, websites say it can take 6weeks depending on the gecko, and now it's reached 6weeks and nothing.. However she has in the past few hours dug some holes in her lay box, so hopefully this is a good sign.

 

[Allee Toler]

It's not the money I'm worried about, the vet is a long way away and I don't want to stress her out with taking her if she doesn't need to go. I didn't know anything was wrong at first either, websites say it can take 6weeks depending on the gecko, and now it's reached 6weeks and nothing.. However she has in the past few hours dug some holes in her lay box, so hopefully this is a good sign.

If you notice her pushing and pushing and nothing coming out for a couple days then take her to a vet. Keep an eye on her now since she's digging. Hopefully she lays it for you. If she does, then keep an eye on the follicles forming after this egg.

 

[Alannah]

I haven't seen her pushing at all

 

[Allee Toler]

She'll stand over the hole when she's pushing. Digging is still a good sign. Just keep an eye on her. I have a few females who dig 24hrs before laying.

 

[lindsaydo]

Did she have eggs???
Also, is she still with the male or in a tank of her own??

 

[Alannah]

No eggs yet, and yes she is still in with the male.

I contacted the vet and gave them info and pictures and they said:

"it looks like a fat body (normal) so unless it feels hard or your gecko is ill in any way i would do nothing for now. Please get it checked if you are concerned at all or if your gecko seems ill in any way"

She's acting completely normal though,

 

[Allee Toler]

Was the vet an exotics vet? Who's seen eggs before? Because by the pictures I can tell you there's eggs... Let me get a picture of my egg bound female for you right now. I have 3 egg bound girls. Two are getting oxytocin on Tuesday and one is getting surgery. None have been bred.

 

[Alannah]

Yes he is an exotic vet, it says all about him here -> Reptiles - Reptile Vet, Animal Vet, Veterinary services in Maidstone, Kent

Thanks

 

[Allee Toler]

Giovanna, the one getting emergency surgery on Tuesday. You can see each little white circle. Each white circle is an egg follicle.

This is Jette, you can see 3 white eggs, and 1 pink egg follicle forming.

Josie, well, she's a mess. 5 white eggs.

Attached your photo. From what I can see, 1 bigger egg, and 2 medium sized follicles.

 

[Alannah]

I'd noticed the bits you circled in that picture, but the thing is you can't see them in any other pictures of her belly which is what confuses me. Also in the picture you circled she'd just had a bath, I dunno if that would effect it any way though.

 

[Allee Toler]

it wouldn't. Just keep an eye on her tummy. If it starts to look like any of the photos I posted you need to take her in. A vet can tell a lot more by actually examining a gecko rather than just a photo. Try picking her up like I did to get a better look. Take the back legs, pull them straight back and take a look at the tummy. When they're in that position the follicles are pushed up against the abdominal wall and make them more visible. If you see the two others I circled, then she does need to see a vet. She may not need surgery, just oxytocin, which makes her contract and push out the eggs.

 

[Alannah]

I gave it a try just now, but for obvious reasons she wasn't very happy with me doing it, I don't see much other then the egg really, but I'm not sure, see what you think,