In a healthy ackie monitor, uric acid (a metabolic waste product of protein) is removed from the blood by the kidneys and excreted in the urate. In an unhealthy ackie monitor, there is too much uric acid for the kidneys to handle, and so it crystallizes in the joints or around the organs. This causes gout, and is generally considered a very painful condition.

Symptoms

• Swollen, stiff joints
• Bumps on the toes and/or ribs
• Lethargy
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss
• White/cream uric acid deposits visible in mouth
• Enlarged kidneys

Cause

• Low basking or ambient temperatures
• Chronic dehydration
• Excessively high-protein feeder insects (fed on high-protein diet)

Treatment

If you suspect that your ackie monitor may have gout, make an appointment with an experienced reptile veterinarian to determine a course of treatment. This condition can’t be cured, but the symptoms can be managed with corrected husbandry, fluid therapy, a reduced-protein diet, and medication. In some cases, amputation may be necessary.