bayoupig5
Sub-Adult Member
Hello All,
I am attaching the link to my previous post about Akasha for mor info and reference: Gout, what to do from here? Pics Attached | Health | Bearded Dragon .org
Akasha has been in brumtion and semi brumation since her diagnosis. She has been treated as having gout since early fall. She has had one short course of antibiotics, Baytril 10 days and Ceftazadime for three weeks, but her foot remains swollen; although slightly less so. I have followed Vet # 1's advice and have been feeding with Repashy Beardie Buffet, have totally laid off the live feeders. I have also dehydrated my own greens/veg and made them into powders for reconstituted slurries as an additional supplement. I have been giving Akasha water mixed with calcium and/or multi vit throughout brumation as well. When Akasha is even slightly awake, fresh veg is provided to her, but as always never gets eaten , I have recently offered a live feeder or two, but she is not interested.
I took her to another Vet, Vet #2 this past Thursday, as since she is up more has produced bowel movements. Bowels are very soft, watery, but so is the urate. Urate started out as pink, but after 3 movements was red (see attached pic). She had not eaten anything red. Vet #2, did an examination and found her to look relatively healthy, no dehydration, no swollen abdomen, kidneys feel good, weight is up (?hydration). He decided to do some very reasonably priced x-rays (thanks goodness), which showed abnormality in her foot. I have attached copies. He did not feel that FNA and cytology would be beneficial and was he worried that this could make things worse. I have sent in a fecal sample for ova and parasites (waiting on results).
So Vet #1 diagnosed MBD, with Gout. Akasha's ratios were way out for sure at that time, but she did not show any sign of kidney disease. Also once I read the cytology report, the cytology did not say for sure that uric crystals were found, but that they were suspected.
Vet#2 diagnosed bone cancer, or osteomyelitis, and although her ratios were out back in September did not see evidence of MBD or Gout on x-ray. A repeat panel has not been done at this time. Vet did not feel new results would change the course of treatment at this time.
So....totally different diagnoses!
Akasha, did have another bowel movement after the pic. This time urate was white, semi formed, poop was soft and formed, but again lots of water coming through. I gather cancer, or infection can cause metabolical issues. Akasha is on long term antibiotics - 6 weeks of Baytril, in the hopes that this is an infection and not cancer. I have dealt with septic arthritis before in another lizard 3 years ago, and this does not look like that at all (BTW, that lizard recovered and will be turning 10 in March).
Just looking for any ideas, opinions, as I know this community is a plethora of knowledge. Thanks in advance.
I am attaching the link to my previous post about Akasha for mor info and reference: Gout, what to do from here? Pics Attached | Health | Bearded Dragon .org
Akasha has been in brumtion and semi brumation since her diagnosis. She has been treated as having gout since early fall. She has had one short course of antibiotics, Baytril 10 days and Ceftazadime for three weeks, but her foot remains swollen; although slightly less so. I have followed Vet # 1's advice and have been feeding with Repashy Beardie Buffet, have totally laid off the live feeders. I have also dehydrated my own greens/veg and made them into powders for reconstituted slurries as an additional supplement. I have been giving Akasha water mixed with calcium and/or multi vit throughout brumation as well. When Akasha is even slightly awake, fresh veg is provided to her, but as always never gets eaten , I have recently offered a live feeder or two, but she is not interested.
I took her to another Vet, Vet #2 this past Thursday, as since she is up more has produced bowel movements. Bowels are very soft, watery, but so is the urate. Urate started out as pink, but after 3 movements was red (see attached pic). She had not eaten anything red. Vet #2, did an examination and found her to look relatively healthy, no dehydration, no swollen abdomen, kidneys feel good, weight is up (?hydration). He decided to do some very reasonably priced x-rays (thanks goodness), which showed abnormality in her foot. I have attached copies. He did not feel that FNA and cytology would be beneficial and was he worried that this could make things worse. I have sent in a fecal sample for ova and parasites (waiting on results).
So Vet #1 diagnosed MBD, with Gout. Akasha's ratios were way out for sure at that time, but she did not show any sign of kidney disease. Also once I read the cytology report, the cytology did not say for sure that uric crystals were found, but that they were suspected.
Vet#2 diagnosed bone cancer, or osteomyelitis, and although her ratios were out back in September did not see evidence of MBD or Gout on x-ray. A repeat panel has not been done at this time. Vet did not feel new results would change the course of treatment at this time.
So....totally different diagnoses!
Akasha, did have another bowel movement after the pic. This time urate was white, semi formed, poop was soft and formed, but again lots of water coming through. I gather cancer, or infection can cause metabolical issues. Akasha is on long term antibiotics - 6 weeks of Baytril, in the hopes that this is an infection and not cancer. I have dealt with septic arthritis before in another lizard 3 years ago, and this does not look like that at all (BTW, that lizard recovered and will be turning 10 in March).
Just looking for any ideas, opinions, as I know this community is a plethora of knowledge. Thanks in advance.