Hi Tracie,
Im not sure where I have been insulting in anyway, though I have been debating the merit of your's and Tonja's recommended course of action. I do not agree that you are being helpful by suggesting a wait and see approach after a qualified vet specialist has examined the animal, has a better history of the animal, and has recommended what seems like a better course of action even based on what limited evidence we've seen here. I know that it seems like just using cherry juice is a nicer alternative for the keeper since that seems to have no risk, but as this animal is likely in pain and is continuing to suffer, just being nice is not helping anyone. This animal is cycling, cycling causes a sharp rise in many things like serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, uric acid, etc, cherry juice is not going to stop that cycling, and this unhealthy animal will likely not survive the storm of problems its experiencing right now if it is simply left to continue cycling. Its far more likely that its levels will continue as they are, further renal damage will happen, stasis will occur, organs will fail and it will die a slow painful death. You were right when you said this is a young animal that should be relatively able to come back from treatment, but first some of the underlying causes must be addressed. You dont put a bandage over an open wound until you first stop the bleeding. So the best and most helpful course of action would seem to be the surgery. This will immediately remove a major source of these chaotic levels, reduce further stress on the organs, and allow the animal to actually start to recover. No doubt it is risky, yes, but no less risky than just doing nothing. An animal with renal damage and gout will always have issue with any future cycling too, so even if by some amazing miracle it got better with just cherry juice, there will be problems with the next time it cycles, and the next, which could be in just a couple months again.
Its obviously your board, as you are the moderator, but Im saddened by the idea that you would silence an opposing viewpoint simply because I do not agree with you. I have given much evidence in an open and intelligent way. Because I do not agree with allowing the animal to suffer and instead recommend surgery, you would threaten me with censure or shut down the discussion? I too am here to help, and I think you do this OP and their animal harm by going against what their vet has recommended. If this animal could whine like a dog, it would be. If it could complain like an old man, it would be. Simply because it is a reptile that cannot do those things does not make it ok to just wait and see while it suffers quietly.
I will admit I find it somewhat funny. On other boards, I am the one who is seen as being overly nice. I think that in order to help the reptile, we must first reach the keeper, and so must be nice in the way that is communicated. I try to always make sure that I am respectful to any OP in responding to questions in each thread, and I hope I have been here to the OP. It seems the only arguments Ive been in on this forum have not been with anyone new keepers asking questions, but rather the more established owners who are upset that Im new here and disagree with them. Either way, being nice just for the sake of being nice, while the education of the keeper is lost or the animal suffers, seems like it is a step in the wrong direction.
Added by moderator: Your attitude is belittling to anyone that posts and it is obvious that you have a vendetta against Tonja. She can voice her opinion on things just like everyone else is permitted to on this forum!