Posted by Joe on January 26, 2010 at 19:03:46:
In Reply to: Re: The Story of Eve posted by Steve Volk on January 26, 2010 at 16:42:21:
Hi Steve:
I知 sorry to hear about Eve. Unfortunately this story is not uncommon sadly I can稚 recall even one story of a successful intervention of this kind.
My particular experience with late (very late) females is relatively limited, but having killed so many animals through my well intentioned interventions in other types of situations, I知 much less likely to do anything if such a case were to ever pop up here. Nowadays I知 likely to take Christian Scientist like approach to such things, simplifying treatment to providing a constantly optimal set of conditions and hoping nature will prevail in lieu of any chemical treatment.
Just last season Squidward expelled a number of infertile ova and one partially formed embryo (a real risk of systemic infection) long after I had accepted that she was not gravid and moved on. In fact, I was so unaware of her situation that I had placed a male in with her and had seen him wrap and attempt to breed her just the week before.
Had I been expecting her to drop, I would almost certainly have become concerned at her tardiness as she was well into her sixth month at that time, but as it happened I had written that off completely. As a result of my ignorance, I simply ignored her condition which I知 relatively sure proved to be her saving grace. On the morning of the 179th day, after the evening spent in the rain chamber she passed the afore mentioned unfertile ova and the partially formed embryo.
Although I知 certain it痴 been used successfully on other species, Oxytocin is one of those interventions that I view to be fraught with way too many contradictions. I知 quite certain that I will not be moved to use it any time soon and it痴 my hope that you never need to make that choice again, but if you do, you値l be well armed after this experience.
Of the two cases like this where the females survived of which I am aware neither was able to bear another litter. I suspect this is due to scarring within the oviducts.