Treatment of Articular Gout in a Mediterranean Pond Turtle, Mauremys leprosa
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 7[4]:5-7 Winter'97 Case Report 22 Refs

- A 0.650 kg, seven year old, long term captive, wild caught female Mediterranean pond turtle, Mauremys leprosa, was presented for swelling of several joints, particularly the tarsal and femoro-tibial joints. The latter joints had decreased mobility and were hard on palpation. There were two ulcerated abscesses at the tarsal joint. The animal was depressed and anorexic. The turtle had been fed a commercial diet and beef once daily, five days a week for five years. No vitamin-mineral supplement was added. Treatment of visceral or articular gout present several challenges, such as uncertain etiology and lack of established treatment protocols. In this instance, treatment with allopurinol (Zyloric, 100mg) and a hypouricemic inducing diet was attempted. The daily allopurinol dose was estimated by allometric scaling from that recommended for the dog. An induction dose of 9.93 mg/kg PO q 24 hours was given for one month followed by 3.31 mg/kg PO q 24 hours as maintenance dose for six months. Canine U/d (Prescription Diet, Hills) was used as hypouricemic diet. Forty-one and three-tenths grams of the diet was given daily to the turtle. The daily necessary amount of allopurinol and canine U/d were homogenized with three table-spoons of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 160 ml of hot water. It was then refrigerated overnight and frozen for later use. After one month of treatment, the animal began to eat normally and was more active. The joint inflammation disappeared five months after treatment began; and seven months later, total resolution of clinical signs was apparent. The animal was then released into a protected area.