Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Synovial fluid analysis shows gout in African spur-thighed tortoise
By Casimire-Etzioni, Athema L et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2004·Department of Physiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Synovial fluid from an African spur-thighed tortoise (Geochelone sulcata).
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
A 4.5-year-old male African spur-thighed tortoise was brought to the vet because he had been lethargic, not eating, and had trouble breathing for two weeks. Tests showed he had high levels of uric acid in his blood and thick, chalky synovial fluid in his joints, which indicated he had gout. The vet found that dehydration and possibly a high-protein diet contributed to this condition. Unfortunately, the tortoise had damage to his kidneys, lungs, and liver due to the gout. Treatment focused on addressing the dehydration and managing the symptoms, but the tortoise's condition was serious.
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Abstract
A 4.5-year old, male African spur-thighed tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) was presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 2-week history of lethargy, anorexia, constipation, dyspnea, and coughing up fluid or vomiting. Laboratory results included an inflammatory leukogram and a marked increase in plasma uric acid concentration. Synovial fluid from multiple joints was thick, chalky white, and opaque, with a grainy consistency. Microscopically, the fluid contained numerous brown, needle-like crystals consistent with urates (gout). Gross necropsy findings and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of systemic gout, with urate deposition, gout tophi, and underlying necrosis in multiple organs, including kidneys, lung, and liver. Dehydration with concurrent renal insufficiency may have impaired urate excretion and led to a build-up of urates in the blood and tissues of this tortoise. A high protein diet also may have contributed to the development of gout. Cytologic evaluation of synovial fluid can be used as a quick and definitive tool to diagnose gout in tortoises.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15048627/