Frustrated from possible gout and other health concerns

[MostBeast]

http://i.imgur.com/0a8X09E.jpg

I took Bart to the vet a few weeks ago and he did a blood test on her, came back with high uric levels. He never said gout, I kept asking but it was always "Eh...". It just seemed like he didn't want to diagnose her, but this is seriously the best reptile vet in the city. She's been on allopurinol for about 2.5 weeks. Its a strenth of 25 mg/mL at .5 mL a day. She perked up a little at the beginning of treatment, but now she's just laying in the same spot not doing anything. I haven't seen her eat in a week, but she poops or passes urate every day. I'm just so frustrated and I want my healthy beardie back. Please help.

 

[AHBD]

Poor Bart, and how frustrating for you. How was she acting before you started the meds. ? Are you able to keep her well hydrated ?

Part of it now may be her getting upset with the daily ritual of being given meds. Does she fight you at all ?

Are there any bugs that she can't resist or you haven't tried, like hornworms or butter worms ? Have you tried smoothies made of greens or other veg. and a bit of fruit ? She is very chunky so she doesn't need much protein but of course it's best if she eats at least 2-3X a week.

 

[MostBeast]

Poor Bart, and how frustrating for you. How was she acting before you started the meds. ? Are you able to keep her well hydrated ?

Part of it now may be her getting upset with the daily ritual of being given meds. Does she fight you at all ?

Are there any bugs that she can't resist or you haven't tried, like hornworms or butter worms ? Have you tried smoothies made of greens or other veg. and a bit of fruit ? She is very chunky so she doesn't need much protein but of course it's best if she eats at least 2-3X a week.

She was acting similar to this before medication. At the start of medication he perked up quite a bit, but now I think she's gotten worse and just lays there all day and has trouble moving around. I force feed dark cherry extract to keep her hydrated and she drinks in her baths.

She gets very upset. She fights and fights and pulls away, but she just hates getting both the DCE and her allopurinol. I have so much patience and I'm very gentle but she really does hate it. I wake up at about 7 am and that's when her lights come on. She's the same color she was after her first vet visit, but then about 2 hours later she'll be back to normal colors. I really think she's stressed.

She used to go crazy over supers and horns, but I've offered both with no luck. And salad has never been a desire for her. Would it be wise to keep forcing everything to her? I've not tried smoothies. I can go get a blender and try squeezing some greens out a syringe for her. I'm just so worried. Thank you for your reply.

 

[AHBD]

Maybe give her a break for a few days, then see if she'll voluntarily eat some smoothie and if so you might be able to disguise the meds. in it. Are her legs still swollen ?

Of course there can be side effects including stomach upset from both the DCE as well as the Alopurinol, too bad our animals can't tell us. Stress from any treatment can complicate any hoped-for benefits when you can't tell if the " cure " is doing worse than the original possible malady.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

What is DCE? Is it anti-inflammatory?
It almost sounds like the dose could be too high. What is Bart's weight?
I have treated a few dragons with gout, giving allopurinol for extended periods of time but never had any side effects.
Do you know what the uric acid levels are?
Are you giving extra fluids daily also? I would recommend giving some daily to help out also if she has gout.

Tracie

 

[AHBD]

Tracie, DCE is dark cherry extract.