Gout Treatments in Lizards

Gout is a common ailment that affects pet reptiles such as lizards. Gout occurs when there is an excess amount of uric acid inside of a lizard's system. Over time, this uric acid can crystallize inside of the joints of a lizard (known as articular gout) or as deposits in various organs such as the liver, spleen, pericardial sac, kidneys and lungs (visceral gout). Both forms of gout are painful and potentially fatal.

  1. Hydration

    • One of the most common causes of gout in lizards is a lack of proper hydration. Early treatment of gout can include the administering of fluids intravenously. After the lizard's system is properly hydrated, make long-term considerations for the amount of fluids the lizard is receiving as part of its daily diet. Another related factor is the heat and humidity of the cage or other area where the lizard is kept; a habitat that is too hot or humid will dehydrate a lizard much quicker than a cooler, dryer environment.

    Dietary Treatment

    • High protein diets can play a significant role in the development of gout in pet lizards. Feeding cat or dog food to pet lizards is not recommended because lizards are primarily herbivores who are not used to the high levels of protein found and cat or dog food. When the lizard's digestive system is unable to process the protein, it creates more uric acid than the lizard's kidneys can adequately handle, eventually leading to an excess amount of uric acid in the system.

      Feeding a lizard a vegetarian diet or a low-protein food can help eliminate some of the dietary issues associated with gout. However, it's important to not feed a carnivorous lizard such as a monitor lizard a low-protein diet.

    Medications

    • There are several medications that are used in the treatment of gout, particularly when dealing with some of the issues that gout can cause. Allopurinol can be given to reduce the production of uric acid in combination with anabolic steroids to reduce protein catabolism--the breakdown of proteins in amino acids. Probenecid is another medication used to reduce uric acid in humans that has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of gout in lizards.

      A side effect of gout in the joints of a lizard can be a secondary infection. Antibiotics can be used to treat these infections.

    Surgery

    • Severe cases of articular gout for extended periods of time can lead to arthritis in the joints of lizards. Surgery can help improve the quality of life by eliminating the crystals that have built up in the joints, although irreversible damage may have already occurred.