Kidney damage a possibility for this ig, but more tests needed (more)

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Posted by T and Q on May 18, 2000 at 12:25:12:

In Reply to: RAVEN re possible kidney prob--T&Q/iZ's Mom please read 2 posted by Iguanamomma on May 18, 2000 at 11:36:38:

Raven, Iguanamomma, all,

While I think it possible that Napolean's problems may be kidney-related, I don't think the vet gathered all the data needed to make this diagnosis. Sounds like he may be playing it safe.

While iZ experienced kidney swelling, Q's kidneys swelled very little. The kidneys showed slight enlargement by x-ray, but the vet couldn't really palpate them. A kidney biopsy (which I seldom recommend), did show that a moderate amount of the kidney tissue was damaged and therefore not functioning.

Prednisone works to reduce swelling, though isn't that great at edema. I'm not in the sciences, so this is hard for me to articulate, but Prednisone works more on a small scale than a large one. For example, I once had to take Prednisone for swelling of a cranial nerve. Another example is people who have breathing troubles and are given Prednisone to reduce bronchial swelling. My Q was given Prednisone early in his treatment. My vet said it helped stop the damage from spreading. In Napoleons case, I don't think Prednisone can hurt.

Constipation in kidney damaged iguanas can come from swelling-induced obstruction, but it can also be caused by dehydration. Because of Q's kidney damage, he was chronically dehydrated which caused constipation. Oral water, and lots of it, helped relieve this symptom. So, it is possible for a kidney-damaged ig to poop well.

Damaged kidneys can also wreak havoc with calcium absorption, causing diminished bone density and even MBD. Q did experience difficulty with his rear legs early on, and x-rays identified his weak bones. It wasn't that he couldn't move or stand on his back legs, but he chose to drag them. I think discomfort in the kidney area can exacerbate this.

It doesn't sound as if Napolean had an x-ray or blood test, and I think he needs those to make a complete diagnosis. High phosphorus levels and/or uric acid levels are strong indicators of kidney damage.

I've talked online with a couple dozen people owned by kidney-damaged iguanas over the last year, and a half, and I'm amazed at the varying symptoms that can present. For example, iZ is the only dragon I've heard of whose limited kidney function caused lesions. But when you think about it, it makes sense. One of the functions of the kidneys is to filter toxins out of the system. If they can't do that, the toxins can cause all kinds of trouble.

I, too, would like more info on Nap's history. Age? Diet? Humidity?

Hope this helps some.

T&Q

Follow Ups:

and still more ... iZ's mom 05/18/00 (8)
- Now U know why I called in the cavalry! Extra water? Iguanamomma 05/19/00 (7)
  - *Squeak*(empithet of joy) his leggies are workin'!!! raven 05/19/00 (2)
    - Good to hear that the back legs are a moving...yeah!...np Joan 05/20/00 (0)
    - Great news! Hope the improvements continue! (more) T and Q 05/19/00 (0)
  - Extra water is always a good idea (more) T and Q 05/19/00 (3)
    - Lots of water...... raven 05/19/00 (2)
      - mmmmmmmmmmm ... ORANGES! iZ's mom 05/19/00 (1)
        
        ummm ... sorry, messed up ... read THIS one, not above! iZ's mom 05/19/00 (0)

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: Raven, Iguanamomma, all, : While I think it possible that Napolean's problems may be kidney-related, I don't think the vet gathered all the data needed to make this diagnosis. Sounds like he may be playing it safe. : While iZ experienced kidney swelling, Q's kidneys swelled very little. The kidneys showed slight enlargement by x-ray, but the vet couldn't really palpate them. A kidney biopsy (which I seldom recommend), did show that a moderate amount of the kidney tissue was damaged and therefore not functioning. : Prednisone works to reduce swelling, though isn't that great at edema. I'm not in the sciences, so this is hard for me to articulate, but Prednisone works more on a small scale than a large one. For example, I once had to take Prednisone for swelling of a cranial nerve. Another example is people who have breathing troubles and are given Prednisone to reduce bronchial swelling. My Q was given Prednisone early in his treatment. My vet said it helped stop the damage from spreading. In Napoleons case, I don't think Prednisone can hurt. : Constipation in kidney damaged iguanas can come from swelling-induced obstruction, but it can also be caused by dehydration. Because of Q's kidney damage, he was chronically dehydrated which caused constipation. Oral water, and lots of it, helped relieve this symptom. So, it is possible for a kidney-damaged ig to poop well. : Damaged kidneys can also wreak havoc with calcium absorption, causing diminished bone density and even MBD. Q did experience difficulty with his rear legs early on, and x-rays identified his weak bones. It wasn't that he couldn't move or stand on his back legs, but he chose to drag them. I think discomfort in the kidney area can exacerbate this. : It doesn't sound as if Napolean had an x-ray or blood test, and I think he needs those to make a complete diagnosis. High phosphorus levels and/or uric acid levels are strong indicators of kidney damage. : I've talked online with a couple dozen people owned by kidney-damaged iguanas over the last year, and a half, and I'm amazed at the varying symptoms that can present. For example, iZ is the only dragon I've heard of whose limited kidney function caused lesions. But when you think about it, it makes sense. One of the functions of the kidneys is to filter toxins out of the system. If they can't do that, the toxins can cause all kinds of trouble. : I, too, would like more info on Nap's history. Age? Diet? Humidity? : Hope this helps some. : T&Q

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