Reptile urates are the end products of digestion. Reptiles excrete their nitrogenous waste in a semi-solid form known as urates. The composition of urates is typically made up of urea, creatinine, ammonia, and water, although other components such as electrolytes could also be present. Urates are normally produced by a process known as ureogenesis.
Urates are essential for a reptile’s health and well-being, as they help flush toxins from the body and maintain proper pH levels in the blood. Reptiles excrete urates through their cloaca, which is located at the base of their tails. Urates are usually white or yellowish in color and have a chalky consistency.
Symptoms of Reptile Urates
Reptiles that have a urate deficiency will often have signs of depression, lethargy, and weight loss. In addition, they might have issues with shedding their skin properly or fail to reproduce. If left untreated, a vitamin or mineral deficiency can cause kidney failure or even death in some cases.
Diagnosing Reptile Urates
In order to diagnose a reptile’s urates, a fecal sample must be taken and analyzed. The presence of white or yellowish chalky urates in the fecal sample is indicative of an adequate level of urates present in the body. Elevated levels of creatinine and urea can also be present if there is an underlying health problem that is causing the urate deficiency.
Stages of Reptile Urates
Urates are generally produced in three stages.
Stage 1
The first stage is when the urea and creatinine are produced in the liver and then secreted into the intestines.
Stage 2
Next, these substances are absorbed by the liver, where they are processed and converted into uric acid.
Stage 3
Finally, these acids are excreted through the cloaca as urates.
Treating Reptile Urates
If a reptile is having a urate deficiency, it can be treated in several ways. Increasing the levels of dietary fiber and protein can help improve the production of urates. Certain minerals such as phosphorus and calcium can also help boost the production of urates. Finally, regular water changes can help reduce ammonia levels in the body, which will in turn help improve urate production.
Preventing Reptile Urates
In order to prevent urate deficiencies, it’s important to give them a healthy and balanced diet. Ensuring that the diet contains adequate amounts of protein, fiber, and minerals will help ensure that the reptile’s body has all the nutrients it needs to produce normal levels of urates. Regular water changes should be done in order to keep the ammonia levels low.