Egg Removal via Cloacoscopy in Three Dystocic Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Three adult female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) belonging to three different owners were referred to for coelomic distention, anorexia, and weight loss. X-rays showed the presence of a macrosomic egg set in the third caudal of the coelomic cavity, and the diagnosis of dystocia was made in all three geckos. A cloacal endoscopic examination was performed on all three animals. A voluminous egg protruding through the urogenital papilla to the cloaca was visible. All the eggs were removed easily using endoscopic forceps. In two geckos, the eggshell was torn, and the content was aspirated to reduce the egg volume. After the procedure, a subcutaneous deslorelin implant was implanted. All geckos recovered rapidly after surgery. Two of the three geckos were healthy at the follow-up visit (respectively one and two years after the surgery) and did not show any signs of dystocia. Only in the third gecko, the dystocia recurred again 6 months later, and bilateral ovariosalpingectomy was performed. After surgery, the gecko recovered rapidly, resumed eating, and was discharged after one week of hospitalization in good condition. ABSTRACT: Dystocia is a multifactorial, life-threatening condition commonly affecting pet reptiles. Treatment for dystocia can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment usually involves the administration of oxytocin, but in some species or, in some cases, this treatment does not work as expected. Surgical treatments such as ovariectomy or ovariosalpingectomy are resolutive, but invasive in small-sized reptiles. In this paper, we describe three cases of post ovulatory egg retention in three leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) successfully treated through a cloacoscopic removal of the retained eggs, after a non resolutive medical treatment. The intervention was fast, non-invasive, and no procedure-related adverse effects were noted. The problem relapsed six months later in one animal, and a successful bilateral ovariosalpingectomy was performed. Cloacoscopy should be considered a valuable, non-invasive tool for egg removal in dystocic leopard geckos when the egg is accessible to manipulation. Recrudescence or complications such as adhesions, oviductal rupture, or the presence of ectopic eggs should recommend surgical intervention.