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Avian Gout

Avian Gout: Causes Treatment And Prevention

Published: May 26, 2009
By: Dr. M.T.Banday, Dr. Mukesh Bhakt and Dr. Sheikh Adil Hamid - Srinagar, Kashmir, India
Today’s bird is genetically engineered for higher productivity. Selection of birds is based on production parameters. In the process, the health of the vital organs is ignored. This has resulted in increased incidence of metabolic disorders. The kidney is a vital organ of the bird with diverse metabolic and excretory function viz. maintaining the chemical composition of body fluids, removal of metabolic waste and toxic products, regulation of blood pressure and blood volume and conservation of fluids and electrolytes.

Excretion of metabolic waste products is important in poultry and this function is performed by the kidneys. The function of kidneys is affected by a number of specific diseases and disorders. One of the important disorders associated with kidney damage is GOUT. In birds uric acid is the end product of nitrogen metabolism. Uric acid is a nitrogenous waste from protein breakdown. In mammals, it is converted to less harmful substance with the help of the enzyme uricase. But in birds this enzyme is absent. Hence, uric acid is the final excretory product. Uric acid is produced mainly in the liver and is excreted by the kidneys. High blood levels of uric acid favour its precipitation in tissues. Uric acid is not toxic but precipitated crystals can cause mechanical damage to tissues like kidneys, heart, lungs, intestines and also in the joints. These crystals severely damage body tissues. So Gout is a condition in which kidney function decreases to a point where uric acid accumulates in the blood and body fluids. Avian gout is a metabolic condition where abnormal accumulation of white chalky uric acid or urates occurs in soft tissues of various organs of body. Gout is commonly observed in chicken as they are uricotelic and lack the enzyme uricase. In gout, blood levels of uric acid can be as high as 44mg/100ml as compared to 5-7mg/100ml in a normal bird.

There are two major forms of gout which are differentiated by the sites of uric acid deposition- visceral and articular gout. In both forms, deposits consist of needle shaped crystals called tophi. Articular gout is considered to be the chronic form of the disease and is less common. Lesions observed are urate deposition around joints, ligaments and tendon sheaths. There is a predilection for peripheral articulation. Clinical signs observed are shifting leg lameness with joints becoming warm, swollen and tender. It is a condition in chicken that has been recognized for more than 30 years. Visceral gout is considered to be the acute form of disease causing huge mortality characterized by the urate deposits on serosal surfaces, most often in the liver, kidney, pericardium, heart and air sacs. Visceral gout is more common in broilers as young as 2-3 days old. In layers, pullets above 14 weeks are more likely to be affected. whenever there is kidney damage, excretion of uric acid gets affected and uric acid starts accumulating in the blood and later in tissues.


CAUSES OF GOUT


The causes of gout are many as kidney damage occurs due to multietiological factors. These causes can be broadly categorized as:
  • Nutritional and metabolic causes
  • Infectious causes
  • Other causes

NUTRITIONAL AND METABOLIC CAUSES:
  1. Excess dietary calcium with low available phosphorus results in precipitation of calcium-sodium-urate crystals. High levels of vitamin D3 can also increase calcium absorption from the gut which can favour formation and deposition of urate crystals.
  2. Excessive use of sodium bicarbonate when used to combat heat stress to improve egg shell quality in layers. This alkalinity of urine favours kidney stone formation.
  3. Prolonged vitamin A deficiency causes sloughing of tubular epithelium and subsequent blockade resulting in accumulation of urates in the kidney. However, incidence of gout due to vitamin A deficiency is least under field conditions.
  4. Gout due to sodium intoxication is seen in younger birds when the sodium levels exceed 0.4% in water and 0.8% in feed. This generally happens when fish meal is used in the diet (even with normal salt content), since fish meal is rich in salt content. Total content of sodium chloride in feed should not exceed 0.3%.
  5. Feed containing more than 30% of protein causes uric acid production which in turn creates an excretory load on kidneys. At the same time the presence of sulphates decreases calcium resorption causing excessive calcium secretion through urine. This condition favours gout.
  6. Water deprivation leads to concentration of uric acid and other minerals in the blood and later in the kidneys. Water deprivation especially in the summer is dangerous. This can happen during transportation of birds or due to blockage of nipples, inadequate number of waterers, extra height of water lines, overcrowding, water withholding for long durations during vaccination etc.
  7. Hard water with higher salt content is also a load on the kidneys.

OTHER CAUSES:


Various chemicals and toxins are involved in kidney damage as;
  1. MYCOTOXINS: Mycotoxins are the most common cause of kidney damage and among mycotoxins citrinin, ochratoxin and oosporin are important. The combination of ochratoxins with aflatoxin is found to be more dangerous. Because of kidney damage uric acid excretion is reduced resulting in accumulation of uric acid in the body.
  2. ANTIBIOTICS: Certain antibiotics like gentamycin, sulphonamides and nitrofurosones are known to cause renal damage especially in young chicks. The drugs which get excreted through the kidneys have their own imbalancing effect on pH and renal metabolism.
  3. DISINFECTANTS: Disinfectants like phenol and cresol if used erroneously cause residual toxicity.
  4. CHEMICALS: Chemicals like copper sulphate used in water results in water refusal, dehydration and gout.


SIGNS AND LESIONS

Gout is characterized by depression, dehydration and sometimes with greenish diarrhea. Affected chicks appear dull with ruffled feathers and moist vent. Mortality among young chicks is high. There is irregular and excessive enlargement of kidney lobules and cutting open the kidney reveals urate crystals chalky white deposition of urate crystals is seen all over the visceral organs like the heart, liver and kidney under the skin etc.


Avian Gout: Causes Treatment And Prevention - Image 1

SEVERE VISCERAL GOUT - Note the  white chalky deposits around the heart (in the pericardium), on all major abdominal organs, including liver, gizzard and intestines, and even in the tissues of the thigh.



TREATMENT


Individual cases of gout may be ignored. In acute cases of gout mortality following prescription would be beneficial.
  1. Provide plenty of water and adequate drinkers.
  2. Avoid a diet higher in protein than the recommended level as per the age and breed. Provide low protein diet for 3-5 days based on need depending on severity of gout.
  3. Review IB vaccination programme. In the areas where IB is endemic it is advisable to vaccinate with nephrotropic strain at around 4 days. Day one beak dip vaccination has proved to be beneficial in broilers.
  4. Use of urine acidifiers: Any one of the following urine acidifiers may be given in water or feed.
    • Vinegar: 1-2 ml per litre water up to 24 hours.
    • Potassium chloride: 1gram per litre water up to 24 hours.
    • Ammonium chloride: Two and half kg/ton feed for 7 days.
    • Ammonium sulphate: Two and half kg/ton feed for 7 days.
  5. Ensure adequate levels of A, D3, K and B complex vitamins.
  6. Excessive use of sodium bicarbonate i.e. more than 2kg/ton should be avoided.
  7. Use of electrolytes through water may assist in controlling mortality.
  8. Provide broken maize at least for 3 days and jiggery 5g/litre for 3-5 days in case of mortality.
  9. Provide 0.6% methionine hydroxyl analogue free acid with 3% calcium in the diet.

PREVENTION

For the prevention of gout in poultry it is necessary to have:
  1. Scientifically balanced feed in respect of:
    • Calcium-phosphorus ration depending on the type of ration.
    • Vitamin A, D3 and other essential vitamins.
    • Required level of sodium, chloride and other ions.
    • Conventional sources of protein.
  2. Analyse the feed for mycotoxin content and if found positive change the feed or use suitable toxin binders.
  3. Judicious use of drugs such as antibiotics, sulpha drugs and anticoccidials to avoid kidney damage.
  4. Fresh potable water accessible to birds all the time.
  5. Copper sulphate should not be used for medication, if used should be used under the directions of a veterinarian or a poultry practitioner.
Related topics
Authors:
Dr. Sheikh Adil Hamid
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
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Tufail Banday
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
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Maqsood Jaffery
22 de septiembre de 2010

Really informative article. There has been recent case of avian gout in pakistan at arifwala on a layer farm in pulletts in rearing. Problem had the history of nutritional imbalance and dehydration which caused formation of urolithiasis ( Stone formation in kidneys of both sides). It caused heavy mortality due to long time persistance.

Amir Attar
Javaneh khorasan
15 de noviembre de 2009

i read this paper about avian gout carefully. it's really practical paper and suitable for experts and farmers. thanks to authors.

Wayne Miller
23 de enero de 2018
I am currently managing a Barnevelder hen with what I believe is visceral gout. The symptoms are acute in onset and there is a noted uraemic "odour" where there has been a collection of excreta on the feathers. I am trying a probiotic and have also used low dose cortisone as an oral preparation for the last three days. The bird is showing some improvement in strength however has not really improved in appetite. Is there something else I should be doing to overcomke the disorder. I do have access to allopurinol (100 mg tablets) so could use this. There is also the other thought I had and that was to utilise a "sports electrolyte" mixture such as Hydralite. I would be interested to know if I should be looking at something else?
Poultry Mania
24 de septiembre de 2016
Dear Mridul kumar What are the composition of libac-10? Regards DR. Ramzan Ali
ogbu samuel oluwah
26 de octubre de 2015
very rich article. Does ammonium chloride have any other therapeutic use apart from being used as acidifier?
cherukuri choudary
15 de octubre de 2015
In my opinion,gout generally occurs in layers ,due to mycotoxins.Hence,better to check the feedingredients for the presence of fungal contamination and replace such material with go0d,quality material and add ammonium chloride in feed at the rate of 2 kg per tonof feed for one week.Gout due to I.B is not common as in all farms vaccine schedule is strictly followed forthe disease.
DR-Tapu Raihan
10 de julio de 2015
I would like to know about the use of antibiotic in case of gout treatment.
Ghazal Hussain
30 de octubre de 2013
Does hard water causes gout?
Chandana Dolawatta
29 de marzo de 2012

Very informative article about avian gout. Can high level of phosphate in drinking water leads to visceral gout ?
Due to nervous signs of ND can it cause visceral gout. Because they cannot drink water due to trammar

Puneet
Montajat Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.
22 de noviembre de 2011
Dear Dr. Banday, Nice to see u after almost 15 years after IVRI! Could you please elaborate on the role of Vtmain B complex and Vitamin K in Gout?
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