Home

>

Reptile

>

I was given a Bearded dragon that had gout, how can I help him without needing to take him to the vet he has had it for a while and it is visible. How do I know if he is in pain? What should I give him ?

I was given a Bearded dragon that had gout, how can I help him without needing to take him to the vet he has had it for a while and it is visible. How do I know if he is in pain? What should I give him ?

Updated On December 26th, 2017

Pet's info:

Image profile

Answered By Emi Knafo, DVM, DACZM

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Zoological Medicine Specialist

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

Hello, Gout is an exceptionally painful condition and Ricky needs to be on medication for pain and to help slow progression of disease. There is no treatment to reverse or cure gout, and it generally has a guarded to poor prognosis. Our goals in treatment are to minimize pain and slow the disease. The medications needed must come from a veterinarian and Ricky’s condition needs to be closely monitored. A veterinarian will do an exam, blood work, and maybe X-rays to thoroughly assess Ricky and be sure the diagnosis is correct. Unfortunately, there is nothing effective that can be done at home without a veterinarian’s guidance aside from ensuring Ricky has appropriate nutrition, temperature and humidity. Refer to anapsid.org for guidelines on bearded dragon care and check arav.con to find a reptile vet near you. Good luck!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

See More Answers

Related Questions

left image

Hi my cat has had this little lump. No signs of discomfort. He plays a little rough with our other cat so we don’t know if it’s a little scar or it’s something to be concerned about. Thank you.

Hi there! It's hard to tell what's going on exactly from the photo, however, if you've noticed a lump it's a good idea to monitor it for a few days for any signs of an issue or changes to it such as increased swelling, pain, oozing debris, or failing to heal. Lumps can be due to a number of things including scabs/abscesses from other cat scratches, cysts, blisters, allergic reactions, etc. Keeping the spot clean and dry and placing an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Squish as needed may also help it to heal. If the spot worsens, becomes very bothersome, or doesn't seem to be improving, a vet visit in person is best to figure out what exactly the bump is and so that treatment can be provided depending on its cause.

Read More

My cat has signs of gingivitis. Will it hurt her if I start to brush her teeth? She had a teeth cleaning with the vet last year, but her gums are already a little red and slightly inflamed again. I hate the idea of putting her under anaesthesia unnecessarily, so can I try to do something at home? I’ve tried gels and plaque off, neither seem to keep it at bay. She eats dry food only and seems to have no pain or issues eating (she’s very healthy otherwise) Thank you!

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Cassie. I think it's a great idea for you to start brushing her teeth, and that can help with the gingivitis. Be sure to use a pet toothpaste, as human ones are toxic for cats. You can get a pet toothbrush and paste at a pet store. I'd brush her teeth three times a week. I hope this helps!

Read More

we may be adopting a two-year-old labrador from the shelter. He has a birth defect having been born with one eye we believe it may be called Microphthalmia. Is this doggy in any pain he doesn’t seem to even be aware of it, but we would like to know if he is suffering from this at all and long term treatment He’s the best boy. Thanks

Oh my goodness, he is the cutest boy! I can see why you say he's the best boy. It could be that he does have microphthalmia, that one eye is much smaller than the other. The condition itself isn't painful, but it can lead to things such as glaucoma, which is painful. Cataracts can also be another complication of this genetic condition. I would recommend having him seen by a vet yearly to make sure there aren't any complications developing such as cataracts or glaucoma, but that shouldn't stop you from adopting him. He would be very lucky to have you! I hope this helps!

Read More

My dog had an anal gland that burst about 2-3 weeks ago. I took her to the vet and they drained it, I gave her a full round of antibiotics and pain medication and she wore a cone. It’s been almost 3 weeks now, the area is fully healed but each time I take the cone off, she licks random parts of her back and legs until they bleed. Can this be a lingering side effect from the meds she finished about 2 weeks ago? She has never done this until after this incident. Appetite and energy are normal.

That's not a typical side effect of giving an antibiotic, but it is possible that Brooke is still experiencing some pain related to the anal glands, and so she is licking to relieve it. It's also possible there is another issue, such as irritation on the legs, that are causing her to want to lick and chew. If you haven't already, I would schedule a recheck with your veterinarian to make sure the anal glands are healed up and to look for any other issues such as pain in the legs or around the anus, allergies, parasites, etc that may be causing her to lick. In the meantime, keeping the Elizabethan collar on may help. There are also no-lick wraps that can be placed on the legs that may help deter licking if there is no injury (once you've gotten the OK from your vet). Distraction through a puzzle or chew toy such as a Kong stuffed with treats or food may also help redirect this behavior into something more positive if it's stress or habit-related instead.

Read More

Does a Prepuce flush by a vet for balanoposthitis hurt or cause pain or discomfort after for the dog? Anything to watch for after? He may need that done depending upon how the exam goes.

Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco. It is a bit discomforting for the pet, mostly because they are not used to fluid being pushed into that area. But it is a necessary procedure to resolve conditions of infection along the prepuce. Once the material is flushed out, the pets do feel so much better, so it is a necessary thing to get the pet feeling better. I would say that you should watch out for any continued or increase in licking the area after the procedure. It could indicate that the procedure wasn't sucessful and may be needed again to reach full resolution. Also, just to add, if you are concerned about your pet, or if you know that your pet doesn't tolerate procedures done at the vet very well, then you can ask the vet to do a mild sedative before the procedure is done. This will allow your pet to be able to calmly go through the procedure, and perhaps not remember a thing. Best of luck with your pet Romeo going forward. I hope that the procedure goes well for him. Take care. : )

Read More

After subcutaneous fluid therapy my cat developed a large lump of fluid on his right side and he is now hiding under the bed. He yowled when I tried to pick him up, as if the bubble of fluid is painful. What could be the problem? I give him 250ml of lactated ringers every 7-10 days. This was the third fluid delivery and this has never happened before. I had to adjust the needle placement several times but did not replace it. Could I have introduced an infection? Could it be fluid overload?

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about George. It is normal to have a lump of fluid develop where the subcutaneous fluids were given. This pocket of fluid will be absorbed over the next couple of hours. As long as you used a new needle to give the fluids, it is not likely you introduced an infection; even if you did, it would show up immediately. The lump will be due to the fluids, and again it is normal. It may feel a big uncomfortable to him for now, and I'd leave him be and let him hide. It should resolve in a few hours. I hope this helps.

Read More

right image
image

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored