Swollen Toe

[milosmommy]

So, I have an appointment with the vet today at 4, but I'm paranoid and I want to ask the community first. I got my 3 year old beardie back in July. I started noticing a swollen toe that she has. I looked back in pictures (because I told so many of them) and I didn't see the swelling until around September. So went thru a shed around that time so I figured it was just stuck shed. Her toe looks the color that it is when she is in shed. I've been monitoring it for about 2/3 months and it hasn't gone down at all. She gets a soak everyday, so I don't know what to do. I posted her toe on her IG page, and lots of beardie owners said it looks like either a dislocation/break or gout. I'm super worried about her because I love her so much. Her eating is normal. She eats mainly veggies. I give her dubia's once or twice a week. Temps in tank around 95-100 on hot side. She's very lively (until 7pm, she turns into a sleepy dragon) I sent the pictures to a friend who is also a beardie breeder and he isn't thinking gout. either dislocation or stuck shed. I just don't want to get to the vet, and they do something that will mess her up even more. I won't be able to forgive myself. Opinions? :|

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Well, that does look like the start of gout, but, without a blood test, it is hard to determine what it could be. The primary reading that needs to be assessed is the uric acid level, as that is the key to diagnosing gout or other renal issues.
Stuck shed is not real likely if it's been the same for a couple of months, without changing color, etc.
Can you run over your UVB lighting & supplementation for us?
Are there any other digits on her that appear to be starting to swell, or have you noticed any swelling on or around wrists, ankles, or joints?
To be proactive you can get some black cherry juice to start her on, daily to help break up any possible uric acid crystallization.
Let us know how the vet visit went.

Tracie

 

[milosmommy]

Hello,

Well, that does look like the start of gout, but, without a blood test, it is hard to determine what it could be. The primary reading that needs to be assessed is the uric acid level, as that is the key to diagnosing gout or other renal issues.
Stuck shed is not real likely if it's been the same for a couple of months, without changing color, etc.
Can you run over your UVB lighting & supplementation for us?
Are there any other digits on her that appear to be starting to swell, or have you noticed any swelling on or around wrists, ankles, or joints?
To be proactive you can get some black cherry juice to start her on, daily to help break up any possible uric acid crystallization.
Let us know how the vet visit went.

Tracie

So I went to the vet and she did a check up on her and I explained her diet, set up, behavior, etc. everything is normal. I did want blood tests done but she wasn't able to get enough blood and she didn't want to keep sticking her. She told me to give her more of a variety of veggies, dust them, and she said they should get her live feeders everyday. Is that correct for an adult? I use the powersun 160w uvb bulb. I'm Norns sure what u mean by supplementation.. where can I buy this black cherry juice? And she's not a good drinker. If I put water on her nose she won't drink it. She gets her hydration from soaks. Should I use an eye dropper? (Not too sure where I can buy one though) but I want to go out tomorrow and get the juice and stuff for her. Oh, I don't see any other digits swollen like that. She has one toe that has a little scab on it, but I'm assuming it's from one of the many times she jumps off of stuff because she loves doing that haha.

 

[Skipper7]

No, you are correct. Do not feed dubia every day. If she does have gout, that will do nothing to help it. Was this vet a reptile specialist? I wouldn't reccomend going back if she told you to feed roaches every day.

 

[milosmommy]

No, you are correct. Do not feed dubia every day. If she does have gout, that will do nothing to help it. Was this vet a reptile specialist? I wouldn't reccomend going back if she told you to feed roaches every day.

No, but she gave me the number is an actually reptile specialist. And that's who I will go to if I see more swelling. How often should I feed her Dubois's? I've been doing like 2 times a week. Veggies everyday. I'm definitely gonna get her the black cherry juice or tart cherry concentrate. Whatever I can find.

 

[Skipper7]

I'm not sure about the cherry juice. I've never had to deal with it. I'm sure Tracie will check in sometime soon. 2 times a week is appropriate for an adult beardie. Make sure you dust them!

I'm sure you've heard it before, but adults should have a roughly 1:4 ratio of bugs to greens.