Unexpected Eggs

[really]

Well, when Kismet went to see Dr. White six months ago
and then again a couple of months ago just for a quick
weigh in she showed absolutely *no* signs of being
sexually mature much less to be carrying eggs. Her
eating was just a little bit off the past week or two,
since was she was eating some and didn't seem to have any of the
signs a green has when carrying eggs, so I just
thougth it was all the rain we've been having.

So you can imagine my surprise when I went outside to
feed Kismet and Mayan and found four *enormous* eggs
in her cage. I'd heard cyclura lay huge eggs but I
can't even imagine how these four eggs, about the size
of extra large chicken eggs at the grocery, fit
inside my baby. I called the vet right away, of
course, and spoke to him last night. He thinks everything is fine but we are going to bringi her in for an X-ray soon.

My poor baby looks totally spent. But she did eat a bit yesterday, though she only seems interested in soaked pellets right now. Figures I'm just about out of those...

Maybe this is why she's been so extra cuddly lately.

Susan

[Marie]

Wow! Quite an event. Yes that would explain her being cuddly. How old she? I don't recall. Well glad she is eating good. Hope all goes well at the vets.

[really]

Kismet will be four on October 2 but Cyclura mature much later than Greens. Everything I read said that five years old was average so I was hoping we'd have another year. Now, given that she is a cyclura rather than a green I need to decide whether to have her spayed or whether to breed her next year. If she were a green there would be no question. I'd have her spayed immediately. Also if she was a full blooded of any of the Cyclura species she's mixed with I'd also not have a question, I'd make sure she was bred. However, being a hybrid Cyclura I have mixed feelings. She would probably not lay that many eggs, but I'd still have to find responsible homes, preferably with people who would do educational events. And, of course, I'd have to find someone with a male who lives close enough for us to meet somewhere for them to mate. Since she appears to be mostly Cuban, I'd like, if we do this, to find her a Cuban mate. Cuban iguanas are, imho, the most sweet tempered and cuddly of the iguanids and I know that her offspring could make wonderful companions. But, I don't want her offspring to suffer the fate of so many iguanas. It's very difficult and I'll definitely tlak to my vet about it. I have until next March to make my decision really.

Any opinions?

[Marie]

I personally wouldn't do it. I feel many exotics will eventually go the way of the greens. Cyclura are even a longer committment than greens so the chances that life changes leave it homeless will be greater. Cycluras are even now starting to end up in rescues. Which new homes are a bit easier to find at this time. I don't really know to be honest.

[really]

Thanks Marie. I'm leaning towards not but I don't want to make a rash decision either way. I want to find out as much as I can first. Ultimately I want to do what is best for Kismet and for her species and I think ultimately it will probably mean spaying her.

[ChamZilla]

Hey there Susan,

I'm glad the suprise egg laying went well. Although when eggs come out they are awfully soft, so I'm sure she had an ok time passing them. Just like humans though, when you look at what part a baby comes out of, its a wonder it even fits out of there. I'm sure she is exhausted and the weather is probably not helping her either. It has been very rainy, humid and drab around Southwestern Ontario Canada also for the past few days. KInda even makes people feel depressed.

You need to do what you think is right and you could try contacting some zoo's or something to talk with the people there on there opinions and if they would know some places looking for such a lizard. But in the end it is up to you and your vet.

Hope everything goes well with the x ray and Kismet makes a quick recovery. I'm sure her hormones are all out of wack also since this being her first time and all.

But good luck again, and did you perhaps take any photos?

[really]

Hi Stephanie,

I did take pictures of the eggs, though not of Kismet with the eggs. She had already abandoned them by late morning when we found them. I swear, it would be like me having ten pound quadruplets! Sheesh.

What I have tentatively decided is that if I can find enough people willing to adopt Kismet's babies and who meet my standards for adoption and all of this is done *before* she mates, I *might* consider breeding her. But those are the *only* circumstances under which I might do this so it's pretty unlikely.

Now, what's the best advice for getting Kismet fattened up and herself again? Right now she's only interested in fruit and soaked pellets, probably for the water content.

[Marie]

Some iguanas take a few days to get their appetite back. Then they go at it. Patrick's Jr has become a piggy and has gotten huge by herself. I say just feed her her normal diet but lots of it. Maybe supplement calcium to replace the calcium the eggs may have pulled from her bones since you wasn't aware she was gravid. But Butternut and Green Beans are supposed to be good for putting on weight. The soaked RepCal pellets should also help. They are 16% protein. She is probably interested in fruit for the calories.

I am sure she will be her old self soon. That was an exhausting event so she may need some rest right now.

[really]

Her appetite was better today. She actually ate at least most of the greens I'd given her but she didn't finish them. When we got home from taking Elizabeth to art class she looked so much better, both because she'd eaten a bit more and also because we finally had a sunny day and I'd put her back outside (I'd brought her in and had her under the UVB light since the weather was so bad). Mayan's appetite was also better and he gobbled down two enormous plates of greens. I'm feeling a bit better about the wait for the vet appointment since she no longer looks like she's at death's door. I mean, I knew she wasn't but she *looked* terrible enough to scare me half to death.