Changes

==Therapy==

==Therapy==

Supportive treatment especially aimed at rehydration may be useful but gout carries a poor prognosis. Previously allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that decreases formation of uric acid) has been recommended as a treatment of hyperuricaemia in reptiles and birds but in fact appears to be of little use. Other drugs such as uricases (enzymes involved in the degradation of uric acid to allantoin) may be more useful.

Supportive treatment especially aimed at rehydration may be useful but gout carries a poor prognosis. Previously allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that decreases formation of uric acid) has been recommended as a treatment of hyperuricaemia in reptiles and birds but in fact appears to be of little use. Other drugs such as uricases (enzymes involved in the degradation of uric acid to allantoin) may be more useful.

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

Any bouts of dehydration will predispose to the development of gout so good husbandry is important in prevention.  Veterinarians should ensure adequate hydration of reptiles prior to any drug therapy especially the use of nephrotoxic drugs.

Any bouts of dehydration will predispose to the development of gout so good husbandry is important in prevention.  Veterinarians should ensure adequate hydration of reptiles prior to any drug therapy especially the use of nephrotoxic drugs.