Egg binding

If broken, the oviduct should be cleaned of shell fragments and egg residue to avoid damage or infection.

Non-surgical interventions include administering oxytocin to improve contractions and allow the egg(s) to pass normally.

Egg binding in reptiles is quickly fatal if left untreated; therefore, gravid females who become very lethargic and cease feeding need immediate medical treatment in order to treat the potentially life-threatening condition.

Factors that can contribute to the risk of egg binding include calcium deficiency, breeding animals that are too young or too small, not providing suitable laying areas (leading to deliberate retention of eggs), and overfeeding of species in which clutch size is dependent on food intake, such as the veiled chameleon.

In the context of behavioral ecology, egg binding can be an important factor in limiting clutch size.