Surgery for my Kaga

[ize1]

Last week Kaga's foot ballooned out. I took him to the vet and they took an xray. Turns out he has Gout. They recommended to get his leg amputated. So now he is booked in to have his surgery on Friday.I am very nervous to get this done but the vets i take my critters to are very experienced with reptiles. I'm worried that he will get stressed when he looses the leg. I'm worried that I will get stressed when he looses his leg. I am posting this because everyone here will know how i'm feeling right now. Does anyone know how to make an artificial leg for a Dragon? hahahaha

 

[kingofnobbys]

Amputate a leg because of gout ?

I suggest you postpone the surgery and discuss a less traumatic treatment that doesn't involve major surgical and life long disability afterwards , see these for more information :

https://www.reptifiles.com/bearded-dragon-care-packet/bearded-dragon-illnesses-health/gout/

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8049747

https://bdragondynasty.weebly.com/gout.html

I'd be seeking a second opinion from another vet (who is not associated with same practice).

 

[ize1]

Kaga is one of my "rescue" Beardies. He was only fed protein and no veggies at all. He was never given calcium and was super skinny when he came to me. The leg is puffed up on the ankle and the knee.
My Vet is one of the best reptile vets in Australia. I have been going to his practice for over ten years and he has never been wrong. My first ever Beardie got sick and i took him to a few Vets nearer to me they all recommended to take him to this Vets.

 

[SPandS]

Have you tried other less drastic options first? I believe black cherry extract can help as well as a drug called Allpurinol. I would definitely try other things before getting something amputated. I'm going to be honest in saying I have no experience with gout but isn't it something in the blood and that getting something cut off isn't going to stop the gout from attacking another part of the body?

 

[kingofnobbys]

Kaga is one of my "rescue" Beardies. He was only fed protein and no veggies at all. He was never given calcium and was super skinny when he came to me. The leg is puffed up on the ankle and the knee.


My Vet is one of the best reptile vets in Australia. I have been going to his practice for over ten years and he has never been wrong. My first ever Beardie got sick and i took him to a few Vets nearer to me they all recommended to take him to this Vets.

I'm also in Australia . I still think a second opinion is in order as it's been my personal experience with reptile vets that they are very hit and miss and some are very keen on the $ .

No harm in postponing and trying less extreme / risky treatments rather than going for a quick slice and dice that will cost hundreds of dollars since it'll need to be done under a general.

You wont have come here seeking advice unless you also were very unconvinced and had very strong doubts about this.

Don't let this vet pressure you into this , seek a second opinion and don't tell the other vet what this vet wants to do , let them assess this without polluting their diagnosis.

I think if you mentioned this at APS or ABDF you'll get "what ! hold on there, why amputate ?" unless the leg is necrotic.

If the leg is necrotic / gangrenous you likely have no option if you want to save the dragon.
If it's only inflamed due to gout ,and you say it's only happened in the last week , it's reversible with dietary changes, with proper drug therapy most likely, and perhaps minor surgery to remove the crystals at most.

Photos of the inflamed leg , and the other legs and the dragon will help us see how severe this is.

 

[KarrieRee]

Gout is build up of uric acids in the blood and attack joints - diabetics get it -- I am diabetic and take Allupirnol daily to prevent the acids from building up -- I agree w/ everyone else please get a second opinion before taking his leg off---

Karrie

 

[kingofnobbys]

Can't see any mention of a dragon with gout requiring an amputation at APS and ABD forums .

If this person was fairdinkum I would expect to see mention on the TWO ONLY local (Australian) sites , he says he's one of Australia's best vets , but never said who this was , or provided an image or any specific information , and well doesn't "sound" like he's an aussie either.

I'm calling this one

…. I think this was a troll.

 

[ize1]

I didnt post the vets because i didnt know if it was allowed to.
The Ark Animal Hospital. Palmerston, NT.
The guy is Dr. Stephen Cutter. Google him. He has been on tv and does work in the communities. He is also the best to go to for reptiles in the NT, no other vets here are and they refer reptiles to The Ark.
I am not a troll. But i am pretty upset that i was called one.
I have 10 Beardies, 1 Frilly, 1 Ackie, 2 Spencer's Monitors, a Turtle and a Squirrel Glider. 8 of my Beardies are rescues, don't have time to be a troll haha.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I didnt post the vets because i didnt know if it was allowed to.
The Ark Animal Hospital. Palmerston, NT.
The guy is Dr. Stephen Cutter. Google him. He has been on tv and does work in the communities. He is also the best to go to for reptiles in the NT, no other vets here are and they refer reptiles to The Ark.
I am not a troll. But i am pretty upset that i was called one.
I have 10 Beardies, 1 Frilly, 1 Ackie, 2 Spencer's Monitors, a Turtle and a Squirrel Glider. 8 of my Beardies are rescues, don't have time to be a troll haha.

We get a lot of trolls here pretending they have sick dragons who I guess come here to upset people for their jollies.

What category permit do you hold ?

So have you postponed the surgery in order to get a second opinion and try something less extreme as suggested ?

Photo of the leg the vet wants to cut off.

Copy of the bloodwork , there are very experienced keepers/breeders and vets here who can review this information and maybe make very helpful treatment recommendations.

 

[ize1]

I will try and post a pic tomorrow. By the way i am a she and i live in Darwin

 

[SPandS]

Just because someone is on tv or comes with recommendations doesn't mean they aren't also humans who makes mistakes. I would highly suggest getting another option or at the very least talk with this vet about non surgical treatments before deciding to have something amputated.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Just because someone is on tv or comes with recommendations doesn't mean they aren't also humans who makes mistakes. I would highly suggest getting another option or at the very least talk with this vet about non surgical treatments before deciding to have something amputated.

Yep … I for one would never let Dr.Harry , Dr.Chris near my pets.
a nice guys but ….

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, so sorry about your dragon and that you were called a troll. Most people here are very helpful and the go-to person here to help with gout is Tracie , username Drache613 . She's a moderator and also extremely knowledgeable in beardie medicine, has owned a beardie with gout for quite a few years. Send her a p.m and you'll get the best guidance possible. She would also recommend black cherry extract + Allopurinol as SandyP already has. Best wishes !


EDIT....I sent her a p.m. for you.

 

[ize1]

Of course i have spoken with him. Kaga has had trouble with that leg since i got him. No medications have worked and now its puffed right up and its painful for him to walk. I have talked to the vet. Kaga has been there heaps about that leg since i got him they did broad spectrum tests and xrays and the results were gout. The vet said at the beginning that he may lose the leg and we have tried several different medications since i got him.Its now in 2 joints. The Vet told me he would do everything he could to save the leg but its now urgent. I will try and post a pic tomorrow. There are no other reptile vets in Darwin or Palmerston, They will all tell me to go to The Ark anyway.
Really i came here because you are all Beardie lovers. My family and friends think i'm nuts getting emotional over a "lizard" .Can't really say it worked cause i ended up being called a troll.

 

[Gormagon]

I can say this, I am an emotional wreck over my late dragon Peaches. They can get to you in a hurry. I don't see you as a troll but as a concerned dragon keeper, I commend you for your efforts. Not everyone here is as harsh sounding as my friend Kingofnobbys, he comes off as brash but he means well. They say black cherry extract or, juice has helped in some cases.
I too, think it is a harsh thing to amputate with only this guys opinion to go one. If two Vets say it's the best thing, then I would do it but, only then. Granted, I don't know your situation but, it's something to think about. Please consider it????!!!!