My turtle laid one egg and stopped. Should I take her to the vet for egg-binding?

Yes, this is normal. When a female is gravid, or carrying eggs, you will need to provide an appropriate nesting area so she can lay them properly. A female RES can lay eggs without the presence of a male so the eggs will not be fertilized. She should instinctively want to create a nest and lay a clutch of eggs. A clutch may contain over twenty eggs for a healthy, full-grown female. If environmental conditions are right, she may lay around 3 or 4 clutches in a season. This website should give you all the information you need. Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again! Best wishes! http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/TurtleReproArtDarrel.htm

If you think Bertha may be egg bound, she should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian as soon as you can get an appointment. In the meantime, check water and ambient temperatures in the tank. Soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. You can add a little liquid calcium supplement to the soak as well.

GENTLY press the soft areas near her rear legs, between the carapace and plastron. If she is gravid (pregnant), you should be able to feel a few eggs. Clutch size can range between 5 and 20 eggs. The best way is to determine if she is carrying eggs is to have her xrayed by your vet.

You should try to place the turtle in a small tub of warm water, about 10° F (18° C) warmer than the water in her usual tank, and leave her alone in there, in a room that's also warm, for a half hour or so. Sometimes that will cause her to expel her eggs. If that doesn't work, you should take her into the veterinarian for an oxytocin injection to induce her to lay her eggs. They also use this drug to induce labor in pregnant women. If your turtle is unable to lay her eggs, she can die. That is why you may need to take her into see a veterinarian if you cannot get her to lay her eggs soon. I hope this has helped. Best of luck. Thank you for using pet coach.

A gravid (pregnant) RES is very particular about the site she chooses to lay her clutch of eggs. Substrate, temperature, lighting and humidity all play roles in selection. Follow the link for information regarding mating, egg laying and incubation. http://www.redearslider.com/reproduction.html Gestation is about 8 weeks after mating. If it has been longer, TeTe should be examined by your herp veterinarian. An injection can be given to stimulate laying. If you are not set up for incubation or don't have buyers lined up, you can discard the eggs. RES are not endangered and are actually over populated. You can easily find yourself overwhelmed with hatchlings as a female RES can lay several clutches each season if conditions are right.

If you are noticing yolk coming out of Buddy I would be concerned that she is having egg-binding, or there was an egg that broke inside her. This can cause complications such as severe illness or even infection, so it would be best to bring her to a turtle/reptile vet ASAP to make sure there aren't any other retained or broken eggs. Cleaning up any discharge and keeping the area clean may also help some until you can get to your vet.

Most females will usually lay a clutch of eggs every year when the reach sexual maturity. Not all, however, will do this. Some females will produce eggs, go through the motion of searching for a lay spot then resorb the eggs and not lay any. If she is behaving normally, there is likely no cause for concern. When breeding season approaches, monitor her for egg formation and pro7a lay box. She may eventually lay or not.