Leopard Gecko Health: Gout

Background Information

Please read our Disclaimer before reading any further into these common problems. As with any medical problem, we strongly recommend that you immediately contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Common Symptoms

Gout is defined by the swelling and crystallization of the joints, tissues and organs of the leopard gecko. Uric acid (normal by-product of protein metabolism) crystals build up to toxic levels in the blood and then are deposited in those soft tissues.

Gout in leopard geckos is believed to be painful - just as it is with humans. Gout is not a condition that can be reversed simply because there is no way to reduce uric acid production in the gecko.

Possible Causes

There are a wide variety of possible factors that could contribute to gout in leopard geckos. A majority of these factors are believed to be related to improper husbandry. The most common causes include:

Dehydration
Hypovitaminosis A
Hypercalcemia
Excessive protein without proper hydration
Extensive use of nephrotoxic drugs
Environmental temperatures which are too low (this reduces the ability of the gecko to clear the uric acid from the blood.

Diagnostic Techniques

There are several diagnostic techniques available to your veterinarian to evaluate the possibility of your leopard gecko having gout. These include:

Complete patient history and husbandry evaluation
Physical examination
Radiographs

Treatment Options

As with humans, the treatment options for gout in leopard geckos are quite limited and the overall prognosis tends to be poor. The key is to prevent the factors that may contribute to gout. Some of the treatment options available to your veterinarian could include:

Long term use of medications to alleviate pain.
Surgery to remove the affected joints/tissues.
Correct any dietary or environmental problems.
Ensure access to fresh water.
Ensure the proper use of medications
Administration of fluids if necessary.

When dealing with medical problems, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.

Still Confused Or Concerned?

If you would like more information or further assistance, or just want to chat some more about leopard geckos, please feel free to post on the Reptile Rescue, Canada Leopard Gecko Forum!