Hello,
I sent an email regarding your bloodwork. I will post here, for learning purposes.
I am concerned about the uric acid counts as they are 6.1mg/dl & should not really exceed 4mg/dl. As the levels near 10mg/dl, there can be uric acid crystallization formation on or around the joints & the soft tissue areas.
I am also concerned with the BUN or blood urea nitrogen which is 7mg/dl & they should really only be around 3mg/dl. What that means is that the bloodstream has too high of concentration of urea in it, meaning the kidneys may not be filtering the uric acid out of her system properly & it is building up.
Both the uric acid & the bun are markers of renal function.
The white blood count looks fine, so there is no evidence of infection according to the blood test.
Everything else looked to be acceptable, as well.
I highly suggest that you speak to the vet again, to have him look at those counts. This is an early warning sign & symptom of pre-gout. If it is not diagnosed or treated early on, she does not have a chance at recovery. You only have a certain amount of time for the window of opportunity of treatment for reptiles. It is very treatable early on, but if left untreated, it will elevate quickly & do extensive damage to the kidneys. However, keep in mind that once they get gout, whether it is early or late stage, he will need to remain on medication, for life. I feel that he is in either 1st or 2nd stage of gout right now, where it is asymptomatic but beginning to show some swelling & other problems. He already has asymptomatic hyperuricemia which just means his uric acid is starting to become elevated which is an early warning sign. The second stage is acute gouty arthritis which is precipitated by swelling which is caused by the blood not being able to keep the uric acid in a dissolved form because the levels are getting too high & they start becoming crystallized.
This early on, it is most likely just gout & not visceral gout which would be where the uric acid becomes deposited in the organs.
I cannot emphasize enough how important this is to get him treatment, immediately. Please don't wait. The medication is not that expensive & it lasts for quite awhile.
The 2 most commonly used drugs are Allopurinol, which works to help inhibit the production of uric acid as well as expediting the excretion of uric acid from the body. Colchicine is used to help alleviate the swelling & pain associated with the swelling. The two work very well together & are highly effective.
This is very crucial to get it taken care of immediately.
Tracie