Lizard and Snake Dystocia

Dystocia is common in reptiles and may affect 10% of the captive population annually. Dystocia is a relatively common problem occurring in lizards, however snakes appear to be the most susceptible.

What is Dystocia?

Dystocia is the retention of follicles or eggs in the female and is common in lizards (mainly iguanas) and snakes. Reptiles can resorb follicles that do not develop but sometimes this does not occur and pre-ovulatory follicular dystocia occurs.

Female iguanas will show anorexia for at least four weeks before oviposition but will remain bright, alert and responsive. When there is no appropriate site for oviposition the developed eggs may be retained and post-ovulatory egg stasis occurs. Sometimes a number of eggs may be retained after some have been laid and again dystocia occurs. Cloacal prolapse may be associated with retained eggs.

In snakes

Dystocia in snakes may be caused by a variety of factors and include obstructive and non-obstructive problems. Obstructive dystocia may be foetal (include oversized or malformed eggs and foetuses) or maternal (include oviduct stricture and non-reproductive masses such as abscesses). Non-obstructive problems include poor husbandry, poor physical condition and concurrent disease.

In lizards

There are two types of dystocia in iguanas - pre-ovulatory follicles (more common) and post-ovulatory eggs (in the oviduct). Surgical intervention is often required. The most common cause of dystocia in lizards is the absence of a suitable nesting site and media but other factors include:

• Poor husbandry
• Improper temperatures
• Poor or inadequate diet
• Dehydration
• Poor physical condition

Dealing with Dystocia

Examination

History may include lack of a suitable nesting site or media, poor husbandry including unsuitable temperatures and inappropriate caging. Access to a mate is not necessary. Lizards with dystocia may be lethargic, depressed, non-responsive or display unusual behaviour. They may be anorexic, dehydrated and in poor physical condition. On physical examination the coelomic cavity may be enlarged and there may be palpable round masses. Cloacal prolapse may be an associated sign.

Elaphe species are especially susceptible. Recent oviposition and the presence of a caudally located mass or masses are commonly associated with dystocia. On physical examination the masses are relatively firm and are often positioned just cranial to the cloaca. Tenesmus or cloacal prolapse may be present. The time from breeding to oviposition is generally not useful because of the difficulty in judging the time accurately.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, palpation and radiography; ultrasound is useful for confirmation. Dystocia is suggested by a history of a lack of an acceptable site for oviposition and anorexia over four weeks. Clinical signs include a swollen coelomic cavity with round masses on palpation. Radiography may confirm this.

Therapy

Dystocia is usually not an emergency situation if the female is bright, alert and responsive, but delay increases the risk of complications and decreases the chance of a successful treatment. In cases where parturition ceases, treatment for dystocia should be instigated within 48 hours. However, treatment may be successful up to a week after parturition begins. Snakes with dystocia should initially receive supportive care, especially environmental conditions within their POTZ and rehydration.

• Initially, husbandry practices should rectified - assess temperature, nesting site, hydration and surrounding environment.

• If oviposition does not occur within several weeks or the reptile becomes dehydrated and lethargic, consider surgical intervention (ovariosalpingectomy).
• Treatments such as manual manipulation, aspiration of the egg contents and administration of calcium and oxytocin may be ineffective or dangerous to the patient and are therefore not recommended.
• Once follicular dystocia is established, ovariectomy is indicated. Coeliotomy is followed by removal of the ovaries and follicles. It is not essential to remove the oviducts.

Prevention

Good nutrition and keeping snakes within their POTZ will decrease the incidence of maternal causes of dystocia.

Dystocia treatment options

There are several treatments for dystocia and it is always best to start with the simplest. The initial treatment is to keep the snake within its POTZ and give an injection of calcium followed by oxytocin. If unsuccessful, ovocentesis is a simple procedure and is often very successful in Elaphe species. Finally, salpingotomy is sometimes necessary and in some cases is the recommended initial treatment.

Physical manipulation - Physical manipulation can relieve dystocia in species where individual eggs can be palpated and gently manipulated to the cloaca. The procedure carries the risk of egg rupture, oviduct rupture and perhaps death. Risks are decreased if this procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic. Calcium and oxytocin injections - Calcium gluconate (20 ml/kg of 10%) is given followed by oxytocin (5 iu/kg IM or ICo). A second dose may be given later if no effects are observed after 1-2 hours. Vasotocin (0.01-1.0µg/kg IV or ICo) may be more effective. Percutaneous ovocentesis - Percutaneous ovocentesis is used to collapse an egg that is then hopefully passed within 48 hours. Series of photos of egg-bound snake with fluid being drained: A needle is inserted through the ventrum into the egg and its contents aspirated. Calcium and oxytocin may be given after the aspiration. Prostaglandins have also been recommended. A large gauge needle is used to allow the thick contents to be aspirated although this introduces more risk of yolk contamination of the coelomic cavity. Antibiotics should be given prophylactically. Use of pancreatic enzymes - If the contents are inspissated pancreatic enzymes may be injected into the caudal egg. Great care must be taken not to inject the proteolytic enzymes into the coelomic cavity. If the egg softens over the following 48 hours it may then be aspirated by ovocentesis. Surgery should be performed if the egg is not passed within 48 hours after aspiration. Surgery - Surgery is indicated for relief of dystocia if the above fail, if there is an obstruction or if there is prolapsed devitalised oviduct tissue. Surgery may involve single or multiple salpingotomy, unilateral or bilateral salpingectomy or unilateral or bilateral ovariosalpingectomy. Follow the following procedure for salpingotomy:

Left ventrolateral skin incision between the first and second scale row overlying the retained egg or foetus Incise oviduct and remove eggs; one or several incisions may be necessary Close oviduct with 5/0 vicryl Routine skin closure