My turtle laid an egg, now yolk leaks from her tail. Is it serious?

An adult sideneck female will lay clutches numbering 6 to over 40 eggs at a time. Clutch size will depend on age, size and overall health. They will retain eggs until a suitable nesting site is located. This can lead to becoming egg bound which can be life threatening. She does not need to mate in order to lay eggs. Ideally, she should be examined, and x-rayed, by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to confirm whether or not she is retaining eggs.

Check the humidity in the enclosed. If ot is too dry, or could cause a minor nose bleed. If she will allow, look for any debris or foreign body in and around the area. It may also be infection (bacterial or fungal) which should be addressed by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Since she has been straining, she should be seen by a veterinary. Being egg bound is a potentially serious condition. Veterinary ERs and clinics should be seeing patients. Call ahead. Procedures have likely been modified to prevent or limit contact. You may need to drop Penny off them wait for your veterinarian to call you to discuss exam findings and treatment options.

No, it is not OK, nor is it normal for the shell to break. This indicates there has been some severe trauma, or this turtle is not being kept under proper environmental conditions, nor receiving a proper diet. I hope you can have a qualified turtle specialist help you is providing the proper conditions so your turtle can thrive. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Unfortunately, the "tumor" cannot be appreciated in the images provided. Consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Also, decrease the amount of pellets being fed. Remove any uneaten food once the turtle stops eating. Offer a balanced diet consisting of protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc), fresh greens and vegetables and a small amount of commercial pellets. Provide vitamin and mineral supplementation as well as adequate UVB lighting.

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.

The pieces could be bits of scutes that Micha has ingested. A turtle may eat scutes that have been shed, however this is not recommended. If it isn't scutes, it could be pieces off of tank furniture. Keep an eye on her for lethargy, loss of appetite or abnormal defecation. You may need to have her seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles if the situation persists or worsens.

That is quite a serious wound. How it happened may never be known. Ideally, she should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. She likely needs antibiotics and possibly pain medication. She may lose the end of her tail. Increase tank temps temporarily to aid in recovery. Gently clean the area once or twice daily with diluted Betadine of chlorhexidine (Hibiclens). If she will eat more, increase the amount of food being fed. Between egg laying and trying to heal a wound, she will need significantly more calories to maintain weight and good health. Increase calcium supplementation as well.