Egg binding
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Egg binding occurs in animals, such as reptiles or birds, when an egg takes longer than usual to pass out of the reproductive tract.[1]
In birds
In birds, egg binding may be caused by obesity, nutritional imbalances such as calcium deficiency, environmental stress such as temperature changes, or malformed eggs.[2]
The egg may be stuck near the cloaca, or further inside. Egg binding is a reasonably common, and potentially serious condition that can lead to infection or damage to internal tissue. The bound egg may be gently massaged out; failing this it may become necessary to break the egg in situ and remove it in parts. If broken, the oviduct should be cleaned of shell fragments and egg residue to avoid damage or infection.
In reptiles
In reptiles, it is inadvisable to attempt to break a reptile egg to remove it from an egg-bound female. This procedure may be done by a veterinarian, who will insert a needle into the egg, and withdraw the contents with a syringe, allowing the egg to collapse and be removed. Non-surgical interventions include administering
Egg binding in reptiles is quickly fatal if left untreated; therefore, gravid females who become very lethargic and cease feeding need immediate medical treatment in order to treat the potentially life-threatening condition.
Egg binding can occur if an egg is malformed and/or too large, the animal is weakened by illness, improper
In the context of
In popular culture
- An episode of the E-Vet Interns featured the treatment of an egg-bound turtle named Napoleon.[4]
- An episode of Netflix animated show Tuca & Bertie, "Yeast Week," featured main character Tuca going to the doctor and undergoing surgery because she is egg-bound.
References
- ISBN 9781118934593.
- PMID 26948267.
- PMID 17842955.
- ^ "Animal Planet E-Vet: Interns Episode list. The Road Less Traveled". Archived from the original on 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-07-10.