3 mo beardie has gout... Help

[RockyTurner]

I am completely in love with bearded dragons, and just got my second baby girl. I got her 1 month ago from a reputable breeder and have her set up with all the proper lighting, substrate, calcium/vita, cricket, veggies.... I have been using this site and beardie books to "do everything just right."
A week and a half ago she was running around, eating excitedly, then that evening when I took her out she was shaking her front left foot like something was on it. The next morning the leg and foot were completely swollen. I panicked, rushed her to my reptile vet, and after X-rays- even though no fracture was found- it was decided that she maybe had a hairline fracture or twisted her leg. I was given a 10 day supply of anti-inflammatory/pain med.
The next day the swelling had gone down a little, but she didn't want to walk on her right front leg, nor did she want to eat. I called the vet and was told that it was maybe just the pain..... After multiple days of calling, worrying, waiting, looking on line I brought her back into the vet. She has lost a lot of weight because I have to force feed her... She does not want to walk, back ankles are swollen too. She pretty much drags herself around, moves like a turtle on belly. Swelling is better, but ankles and toes are lumpy. After seeing her the vet agrees with me that it is most likely gout;(
They just drew blood and took a new X-ray. I will post results. I just wanted to know if anyone has experience or success in Gout in such a young beardie. I will do what I need to do to help her live, but not if she is in pain.

 

[CooperDragon]

Gout can be quite rough but it's treatable. The blood work should tell you more when the results come back. It's important that she stay well hydrated so drip water on her nose to lick up. You can offer some tart cherry extract which may help her clear uric acid from her system. If the gout is confirmed, the vet can prescribe allopurinol which tends to be pretty effective at managing gout. Due to her age it's tough to cut protein from her diet but you may want to try and balance her diet with more veges than usual for a young dragon and see if she can get by with more of a mix than normal.

 

[RockyTurner]

Thank you so much for your reply. The vet said that he could indeed see the faint crystals at her ankle joints and that her blood work showed the count on her kidneys to be "off the chart."
Your thoughts and suggestions seem to be in agreement with the vet's. He told me to continue her daily soaks and offer more water drips on her nose. He sent me home with a dietary supplement powder, "Critical Care." He wants me to continue the Metacam, anti inflammatory/pain killer, for another week or two and then try to go without it. He did order the prescription for Allopurinol, so it should arrive by the end of the week. I also switched my kids over to Dubia roaches because I have heard that they are healthier for beardies. I am also going to try the tart cherry extract.
So while it was confirmed that she has Gout, the Dr seemed very hopeful that with a little work and the medicine that she can live a fairly normal pain free life.... Fingers crossed. I will update after her next check up

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow I am really surprised the vet was able to draw blood from such a small dragon! Did he
get just a partial sample? Do you have the blood test results I could see, I am interested.
That's great he got you some allopurinol ordered then.
Definitely get her on the tart cherry or black cherry juice extract, it's very helpful. She
should like the taste, too. Do you have pictures of her we could see also?
I hate to mention this but, for now, I would keep the dubias at a minimum for her & go
with small phoenix/calcium worms, small silkworms or small hornworms. The dubias are
high in protein & it might be too hard on her system right now. Try alfalfa powder mixed in
with the critical care or sprinkled on greens for a non purine sourced protein.
Since you caught it early, she has a great chance at a normal life though! I have had two in
the past with gout, both rescues. They can be very resilient.
Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie

 

[RockyTurner]

Tracie, thank you so much for that information and the encouraging words. The vet I am going to is the vet used by one of Austin's most reputable exotic pet stores. They were just wonderful with her. I will call and ask for a copy of the blood test results. He did say that her calcium and phosphorous levels were "spot on."
Thank you so much for warning me about the high protein in the Dubias. I did feed her a few today? The vet also told me that I should look for Dandelion greens- I am giving her the collard and Kale right now... She hasn't eaten them since all of this started. Today I gave her the Critical care multiple times.
Tomorrow I will start her on the cherry extract, and her Allpurinol should be here by Friday. She is so sweet. I look forward to her frisky personality to return as she feels better.

 

[RockyTurner]

This is Roxy, the larger dragon on the bottom, and her brother, Leonidas.
I will also send a picture of her poor little foot.
Shann

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[Drache613]

Hello Shann,

You are welcome! Roxy & Leonidas are adorable! How is she doing today?
That does look like quite a bit of swelling, does it seem to hurt her?
I'm glad to hear the blood test results were so good like that. It must be a genetic issue as
there are so many inbred dragons now. Dandelion greens would be helpful, she would really
like them. Does she like the critical care? I hope she starts eating her green soon. A lot of
times, when they don't feel 100% they wont eat ther greens.
I am sure she will love the cherry extract flavor, too. I hope that the allopurinol does well
for her, it is very effective too.

Keep us posted on her.

Tracie

 

[RockyTurner]

Thank you. She has the sweetest chill personality- Leonidas is a sassy punk dragon?
It is hurting me to see her swollen feet and toes while I am waiting for the Allopurinol. I just called and found out that it will be delivered Saturday. She just lies on her belly, not wanting to use her little feet? I give her multiple soaks during the day, ample snuggles- which she loves, and though she doesn't love her Critical Care, I am patient and continue to put it on her nose until she starts licking it off.
I can get her to eat a few strawberries, which are her favorite, and she ate about 5 crickets yesterday. This is not a lot compared to her normal 20 or so. I did finally find one container of Horn worms at a store about an hour away, I am going to get them today. I also get the tart cherry today. I have not been able to find the Dandelion greens yet, but will not give up.
Thanks again for your concern and helpful advice. I will keep you posted?
Shann and Roxy

 

[RockyTurner]

I do have a question... Would giving her any of the canned special kidney diet for cats as her protein help her?