Chapter 47 Diseases of the Urinary System SNAKES Gout The most frequently seen disorder of the renal system in snakes is gout, a disease routinely associated with dietary imbalances. Snakes require animal protein in their diet, and their system is adapted to handle that form of protein. In some reptiles, the end product of protein breakdown is uric acid, whereas in others, it is allantoin or urea. The uric acid is cleared from the blood through the renal tubules. When uric acid levels increase in the blood, uric acid crystals begin to precipitate out in body fluids such as synovial fluid and other body tissues. Deposits in tissue such as cartilage, tendons, and soft tissues are called tophi. In reptiles, tophi can be found in the pericardial sac, the kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, subcutaneous tissues, and other soft tissues. Risk factors for the formation of gout include dehydration, renal disease, excessive protein intake, and misuse of nephrotoxic antibiotics (aminoglycosides). CLINICAL SIGNS • Firm, white swellings around joints or in soft tissues (often oral membranes) DIAGNOSIS • Physical examination and history • Demonstration of monosodium urate crystals in tophi lesions (Fig. 47-1, see also Color Plate 24) Figure 47-1 Urates in tissue. A, Lungs. B, Pericardial sac. C, Kidneys. D, Liver, spleen, and subcutaneous tissues. (From Mader DR: Reptile medicine and surgery, ed 2, St Louis, 2006, Saunders, by permission.) TREATMENT • Correct diet and husbandry practices • Provide access to clean water at all times • Human medications used to treat gout (doses extrapolated from humans) Allopurinol Probenecid Colchicine INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • The overall prognosis for animals with severe gout is poor. • Patients with moderate gout can be managed on medications, but the condition may quickly become painful if the medication is stopped. IGUANAS Cystic Calculi Iguanas have a bladder and cystic calculi may form from urate salts. CLINICAL SIGNS • Lethargy • Depression • Anorexia • Dehydration • Constipation • Hind-limb paresis or paralysis DIAGNOSIS • Physical examination (palpation); history of stress and water deprivation Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Hematologic Diseases Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Common Diseases of Companion Animals Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by admin in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Urinary System Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Chapter 47 Diseases of the Urinary System SNAKES Gout The most frequently seen disorder of the renal system in snakes is gout, a disease routinely associated with dietary imbalances. Snakes require animal protein in their diet, and their system is adapted to handle that form of protein. In some reptiles, the end product of protein breakdown is uric acid, whereas in others, it is allantoin or urea. The uric acid is cleared from the blood through the renal tubules. When uric acid levels increase in the blood, uric acid crystals begin to precipitate out in body fluids such as synovial fluid and other body tissues. Deposits in tissue such as cartilage, tendons, and soft tissues are called tophi. In reptiles, tophi can be found in the pericardial sac, the kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, subcutaneous tissues, and other soft tissues. Risk factors for the formation of gout include dehydration, renal disease, excessive protein intake, and misuse of nephrotoxic antibiotics (aminoglycosides). CLINICAL SIGNS • Firm, white swellings around joints or in soft tissues (often oral membranes) DIAGNOSIS • Physical examination and history • Demonstration of monosodium urate crystals in tophi lesions (Fig. 47-1, see also Color Plate 24) Figure 47-1 Urates in tissue. A, Lungs. B, Pericardial sac. C, Kidneys. D, Liver, spleen, and subcutaneous tissues. (From Mader DR: Reptile medicine and surgery, ed 2, St Louis, 2006, Saunders, by permission.) TREATMENT • Correct diet and husbandry practices • Provide access to clean water at all times • Human medications used to treat gout (doses extrapolated from humans) Allopurinol Probenecid Colchicine INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS • The overall prognosis for animals with severe gout is poor. • Patients with moderate gout can be managed on medications, but the condition may quickly become painful if the medication is stopped. IGUANAS Cystic Calculi Iguanas have a bladder and cystic calculi may form from urate salts. CLINICAL SIGNS • Lethargy • Depression • Anorexia • Dehydration • Constipation • Hind-limb paresis or paralysis DIAGNOSIS • Physical examination (palpation); history of stress and water deprivation Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related Related posts: Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Hematologic and Immunologic Diseases Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Hematologic Diseases Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel Join Tags: Common Diseases of Companion Animals Aug 31, 2016 | Posted by admin in GENERAL | Comments Off on Diseases of the Urinary System Full access? Get Clinical Tree
