Unfertilized Eggs/Egg Bound Jackson's

[JenniK]

I have two female Jackson's Chameleons (subspecies xantholophus) who recently had health problems involving infertile eggs. They both were eating less and becoming more and more lethargic. One passed away despite the suggested interventions from our vet, but the other one seems to be improving after passing several infertile eggs. Sure enough, when the vet did an autopsy on the deceased chameleon, she was packed full of infertile eggs. We cannot be sure this is the ultimate cause of her death, but it seems to have at least been a contributing factor. As far as my research has turned up so far, it sounds rare for Jackson's to pass unfertilized eggs like this. I'm also very surprised the other one became bound as their eggs do not have calcified shells and I would expect them to be easier to pass. Additionally, the one who survived had given birth to a healthy clutch about a year ago but the one who passed has not given birth (to our knowledge).

Does anyone have any experience or advice on how to deal with unfertilized eggs/egg binding in ovoviviparous species like Jackson's? Is it common/healthy for females to lay unfertilized eggs? Are their ways to prevent them from getting egg bound? Would breeding them be the best solution? (We have two males, and our ultimate goal is to breed them but so far the females have been unreceptive and one of the males is very aggressive and does not wait for the females to warm up to him so we usually have to remove him before he hurts them in his enthusiasm to breed.)

Any advice is much appreciated! Thank you

 

[JacksJill]

Unbred females will pass unfertilized ova (slugs) a few times a year. Even when giving birth to healthy live young a slug or two may pass with them.
Over feeding females can cause them to release more ova and sometimes it is more than their body can handle all at once. Feeding reasonable amounts with proper supplementation, good gut loading of feeders and maintaining proper hydration can help prevent problems. Females should also be kept at slightly lower temperatures than the males.
If you haven't read this it may help. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/
and this http://www.chameleonnews.com/10JulManchen.html
Hope this helps. Sorry for your loss.

 

[JenniK]

Unbred females will pass unfertilized ova (slugs) a few times a year. Even when giving birth to healthy live young a slug or two may pass with them.
Over feeding females can cause them to release more ova and sometimes it is more than their body can handle all at once. Feeding reasonable amounts with proper supplementation, good gut loading of feeders and maintaining proper hydration can help prevent problems. Females should also be kept at slightly lower temperatures than the males.
If you haven't read this it may help. https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/
and this http://www.chameleonnews.com/10JulManchen.html
Hope this helps. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely revisit those sites for tips. We had been discussing lowering the temperature so we will definitely try that and will be cautious with her food once she puts a little weight back on.