Female Leopard with MBD

[Evie]

My female Leopard is 9 years old and weighs 4 kgms.

Last year I took her to the vets as when she walked she didn't seem to be able to lift her shell very high - the diagnosis was MBD and I am sure her previous owner did not give her the correct diet or uv.

Do you think she will have the strength to dig to lay - I think she may be gravid but her back legs dont seems thick and strong as my other 2 females.

[egyptiandan64]

It all depends on how she is walking now Anne. Her calcium levels now should be fine for everything to work right. If she does start to dig and isn't doing well, you can always help with the digging.

Danny

[Evie]

Thanks Danny - she does seem better with her walking now and I do supplement her with Zolcal regularly.
She has spent a bit of time in the nesting area over the last few days but just seemed to have a little scuffle and them came out.

We had to give Honey a hand ( or foot in her case) when she laid a few weeks ago as she hit a root and couldn't get past it !!!

[16 shells]

Hope it goes well, Anne

[Evie]

Thankyou Paul - she will be my third female to lay this year. Although she is the oldest she was only small when i got her at 6 years old - she still seems like my baby.

I will keep an eye on her - it is so expensive to have them xrayed but I may have to just to be sure.

[terrypin]

hi Anne ,have you thought about a nesting box .this way you can mix the soil yourself so it is easier for her to dig .once they have laid in the box a couple of times they seem to accept it better .one of mine is a winter layer and this year she has laid within a few hours of going in the box.
terry

[Evie]

Hi Terry

What size would the box need to be?

She seems to have settled again at the moment - I cant make up my mind with her.

[terrypin]

hi Anne the nesting box i have is 6'x3'which has a slight incline up to the area under the light this is as deep as my longest girl .the soil is a moist mix of sandy soil with peat in.bear in mind not to let it get to dry or the peat can become dusty.i have it brightly lit i will try and sort a couple of pictures out.
terry

[Evie]

Originally Posted by terrypin

hi Anne the nesting box i have is 6'x3'which has a slight incline up to the area under the light this is as deep as my longest girl .the soil is a moist mix of sandy soil with peat in.bear in mind not to let it get to dry or the peat can become dusty.i have it brightly lit i will try and sort a couple of pictures out.
terry

Pictures would be great Terry - I have an area of soil/sand mix in the enclosure with a lamp suspended from above - once i have seen how you have made yours I can adapt mine. I have Daisies table which is 4ft x 4ft maybe I could make use of that.