HELP unknown bumps

[the retarded chameleons]

for some reason my Cham started developing massive bumps on his joints

 

[the retarded chameleons]

Any help will be greatly apricated

 

[jajeanpierre]

That looks like it might be gout. He needs to go to a good reptile vet. I don't think the prognosis is very good nor do vets really understand how to treat them or even effectively test for it. My understanding is that it is very very painful.

 

[the retarded chameleons]

Oh god

 

[carol5208]

Have a vet do bloodwork for Uric acid levels. Yes could be gout.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Have a vet do bloodwork for Uric acid levels. Yes could be gout.

The trouble is that blood work is inconclusive. I believe the only accurate way to diagnose is to take a biopsy and actually find the crystals in the body tissues. Gout in reptiles is usually caused by kidney problems stemming from dehydrations, starvation or antibiotic use, especially on a dehydrated animal. Improper temperatures affects the ability of the kidneys to filter out uric acid of the blood. Improper diet is also a contributing factor.

Gout is one of the reasons I think every single chameleon needs an automatic mister since chronic low level dehydration causes kidney failure, and poor kidney function is a cause of gout.