What Is Gout?
Gout, simply put, is built up uric acid that deposits throughout the body. There are two types of gout: primary and secondary gout. Reptiles are typically thought of only getting secondary gout. Primary gout is considered hereditary in humans.
Secondary Gout Symptoms
White plaques inside the mouth and enlarged, stiff, thickened and fat looking joints can be indications of gout in your reptile. If your reptile has either of these symptoms, or if they are just acting lethargic and aren't eating well, take them into a veterinarian. Gout tophi (deposits of uric acid) can also be visualized within the body of the reptile if they are having surgery performed.
What is the Vet Going To Do?
Your reptile vet may want to take radiographs to rule out metabolic bone disease (MBD), aspirate the area around the joint (using a needle suck or squeeze out any material sorrounding the joint that may be causing the joint to appear swollen), run bloodwork to check uric acid levels in the blood or take swabs of any white plaques (tophi).
How is Gout Treated?
Depending on the location, severity, and cause of the gout, different medications and actions may need to be performed. Proper husbandry for your reptile should be reviewed first and medications, fluids, or surgery may be needed. Gout is a serious condition and is often treated for life.
How Can Gout Be Prevented?
Improper diets, dehydration, starvation, certain medications, kidney disease, and other chronic diseases can all cause gout. Feeding animal protein to herbivorous reptiles is the most common cause of gout in reptiles. To avoid inflicting gout on your reptile be sure to follow the environmental and nutritional recommendations for your species of reptile and get your reptile in to the vet for regular check-ups. If you aren't sure what the correct diet is for your reptile, consult your reptile veterinary team. Just because your reptile likes eating something doesn't necessarily mean he should be eating it!
