Gout concerns

[MostBeast]

I've recently discovered that gout is something that can occur in reptiles and I think I've finally figured out what's wrong with my Bart. Please take a look at the album I'll attach. She's been acting strange for about 2 months (lowered appetite, less mobile, lazier) and the swollen wrists happened about a month ago. I've been suspecting MBD but her setup is almost perfect. I ordered a mercury vapor as I just wanted to be sure, but it hasn't arrived yet. If it is gout, is it reversible? How did she get it? I'm suspecting her roaches as when I was reading on breeding dubia, they warned against certain foods as those might increase uric levels. Please help! I'm not sure what to do.

http://imgur.com/a/cCACA

 

[CooperDragon]

The bumps could indicate Gout. If you have an experienced reptile vet nearby it would be a good idea to have a blood test done which would help diagnose it. Your setup looks quite good and the MVB might not be necessary with your ReptiSun (T5?) but can be used as a portable basking area outside of the tank. From what I know a lot of it has to do with genetics rather than diet or housing although I'm sure they can play some part in it. The vet can prescribe Allopurinol to help treat the gout but it isn't reversible. It's something that will need to be treated for life. In the meantime, if you can get some dark/tart cherry juice or extract and offer that to her it may be helpful. That has been known to reduce uric acid levels. I also suggest keeping her well hydrated by giving drops of water on her nose every day. The hydration will help protect her kidneys a bit.

 

[MostBeast]

The bumps could indicate Gout. If you have an experienced reptile vet nearby it would be a good idea to have a blood test done which would help diagnose it. Your setup looks quite good and the MVB might not be necessary with your ReptiSun (T5?) but can be used as a portable basking area outside of the tank. From what I know a lot of it has to do with genetics rather than diet or housing although I'm sure they can play some part in it. The vet can prescribe Allopurinol to help treat the gout but it isn't reversible. It's something that will need to be treated for life. In the meantime, if you can get some dark/tart cherry juice or extract and offer that to her it may be helpful. That has been known to reduce uric acid levels. I also suggest keeping her well hydrated by giving drops of water on her nose every day. The hydration will help protect her kidneys a bit.

I just went to the store and got black cherry extract and a syringe. She's never been one to drink anything when I boop her nose with some water or something. Could I get her to start chewing on a superworm, then maybe squirt a little in her mouth? What's the most I can let her consume in one day? Thank you so much

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I have had 2 dragons in the past, with gout. One was a rescue who was in final stages but we managed to give him another year of a great life with us. The second was one we acquired as pet as a young adult, that developed it. Though, he did not have swelling like that, there was just a small bit of a finger swelling while he started brumating. I headed it off with allopurinol & he was on a maintenance level of allopurinol for a long time & did very well.
A blood test will help determine uric acid levels first & foremost. I would be willing to say that her levels are likely at least 10-15mg/dl because of the start of the swelling on the hands/wrist as well as a swelling on or around her leg joint.
Cooper is right though, most of the times gout is caused by genetics, really. Sometimes it can be due to poor diet & husbandry but not predominantly.
You can give 1ml daily of the cherry juice, straight or mixed with water if you would like.
Unfortunately if it is Visceral or full blown gout, you can't reverse it but you can manage it with diet & meds such as allopurinol. If it's Pseudogout, then it can be managed & hopefully reversed with anti-inflammatory medication like Colchicine.

Let us know how she is doing.

Tracie