Constipated iguana not drinking water

Question
Hi! I have a 9-year old iguana. A few days back she laid 29 eggs. After that she had constipation for almost a week. I tried to bathe her in warm water and massaged her belly and finally she managed to pooped quite a lot. After that she laid another 1 egg. Now she's having constipation again ( been 3 days already ) and she refuses to drink water. I've been forcing her to drink using a syringe but she doesn't want to swallow the water. Her belly looks swollen too. Not sure if she's still gravid. Is it safe for me to massage her in warm water for her to poop? I'm worried that I might cause the eggs in her to break. Can iguanas become gravid twice in a month? She's still eating well after laying first batch of eggs. I'm very worried about her. Thanks!

Answer
Mrs. Tune,

Indeed, there is no harm in using these methods to try and induce defecation assuming you are gentle in the massaging. I am concerned about what you described because I do think something is to be said for her abdomen still being swollen though and her laying one egg after some difficulty. It is worth considering that she may still have some eggs retained that she cannot pass either because her muscles have grown to weak from passing the other eggs or perhaps the hormone that stimulates passage is not being produced. Also, the eggs could be lodged and/or in the process of decaying (if there are any more eggs left). In the case of being uncertain if she has laid all of her eggs, it is recommended to have an x-ray done to see if there are anymore eggs that need to be extracted. It is not likely that they should become gravid twice in one month. Usually, all eggs will be laid within several days of each other. Gestation takes too long for another batch of eggs to form after the complete passage of a prior batch to where you could expect more eggs this quickly.
I think it is important to consider the possibility of her being eggbound and needing medical attention. I had this situation with one of my rescues name Amy and she had a very similar story where she was laying some and then a few days would elapse, then she laid another, then another, etc. and finally she laid a bloody egg and I took her in to see the vet and by that time an egg had erupted within her abdominal cavity and created an infection that she could not recover from. We did surgery but it was too late. Ever since then, whenever I have any suspicion that a gravid female is having egg issues, I do not hesitate. I thought she was doing much better than she must have been because she was eating right up until the day of her emergency surgery.
I think it's important to give her the water by syringe even if she does not desire it. Also, consider loading her up with a calcium supplement, for she has lost a lot with the formation of the eggs. I wish I could tell you what exactly was going on and that I could put your mind at ease, but unfortunately, only a veterinarian can.

Thank You and please follow up with any further questions,

Sara J Gwerder
President
Raptor Rescue Iguana Sanctuary
Shreveport, LA
www.RaptorRescue.org

Good Diet + UVB Radiation + Proper Temperatures + Set Daily Schedule = Healthy + Happy Reptile