Treatment for gout

Gout is a metabolic disorder in which there is precipitation and accumulation of Uric acid crystals in Kidneys, Viscera, Peritoneum and Joints, resulting in mortality.

In birds, Uric acid is the end product of protein and purine metabolism and is normally excreted through Kidneys. Uric acid is insoluble in water and since birds lack in enzyme Uricase, there is no further conversion of Uric acid in to water soluble Allantoin, as in mammals. However, in birds, Uric acid is solubalised by binding with specific protein in the proximal tubules of kidneys so that its crystallization in kidneys is prevented. If there is renal failure or excessive formation of Uric acid in the body or both, due to various predisposing causes, Uric acid accumulates in the blood resulting in hyper Uricemia.

Normal levels of Blood Uric acid in Birds is 4.5 to 5 mg/dl and when it rises to 10 -20mg/dl, clinical symptoms of gout appear and when it rises to 25.5 - 42.2 mg/dl, there is severe gout mortality. High levels of Uric acid in blood lead to precipitation of monosodium/calcium urate crystals in various tissues and organs. These crystals, being insoluble in tissue fluids and having sharp ends, cause physical damage to the tissues leading to a cascading inflammatory reaction
There are two forms of gout in Poultry. 1) Visceral gout and 2) Articular gout.

Visceral gout is usually an acute condition, more common in young broilers and in pullets above 14 Week age. In broilers, it occurs from 3rd to 20th Day age and causes varying mortality with lesions seen in kidneys, and visceral

Articular gout, on the other hand is usually chronic in nature, affecting birds above 4-5 months age with lesions mainly in joints. Articular gout is occasional and individual problem and is not of much economic significance.

Visceral Gout in Broilers

An analysis of 18 outbreaks of visceral gout in broilers, reported by different authors, revealed much variation in the mortality. In 13 outbreaks mortality was low (1.48 - 6 %,) where as in four out breaks it was high (14.2 - 24.8 %) and in one it was devastating (60.33%).

In a field observation of 34 batches, this author (Narsapur) reported gout in 15 (44%) batches and it was detected between 4th to 17th day age. Out of gout affected batches, in Nine batches (60%) it was early gout that started between 4 to 9 day age while in six (40%) iy started late, from 11 to 17 day age.

Symptoms, lesions and diagnosis of Visceral gout

Visceral gout presents no significant clinical signs and sudden onset and rise in mortality draws farmers' attention to the flock. Dead birds are dehydrated.

In mild form, ureters are thick, white and prominently seen. Kidneys appear pale with prominently visible uriniferous tubules. In severe form, in addition to these changes, white chalky deposits are found covering heart, liver, intestines, peritoneum, spleen lungs air sacs, muscles and inner lining of proventriculus.
In few birds, such deposits may also be found in synovial sheaths of tendons, joints and subcutaneously on legs.

Microscopically, inflammatory reaction is mild and is often seen in kidneys.

(In articular gout, birds go lame; Urate deposits (Tophi) are found around periarticular tissue and also within joints of feet and legs. Joints of wings, spine and mandibles may also be similarly affected. Microscopically, granulomatous inflammation of soft tissue in these locations is marked.)

Postmortem findings are generally sufficient to diagnose gout in poultry. Murexidase test on the deposits recovered from dead birds, confirms urate deposits. Blood uric acid estimation of the affected flock is also confirmatory.

Economic Importance of Visceral gout
(Field observations by Dr Narsapur)

Effect of Visceral gout on the performance of broilers was studied in 26 batches of broiler chicks from April to Sept 2006, in 14 integrated broiler farms in Alibaug area ( Maharashtra ) These observations are based on 1,05,990 chicks in 26 batches and the batch size varied from 1527 to 12,213 chicks

In Five batches which were unaffected by gout, average total mortality was below 2% and FCR 1.672 at 1.5Kg Wt on 35 days age. This was taken as standard for comparison with other batches. In all other batches, which had suffered gout at early age and had recovered completely, the Growth, FCR were adversely affected as compared to unaffected batches. (refer Table 1 below)

These observations indicate that the batches of chicks which suffer form gout during earlier life and are clinically cured, would perform poorly. Greater the severity of gout, greater is the loss due to lower weight and higher FCR.

Table 1

(Comparison of growth rate and FCR in broiler batches which had suffered varying degree of mortality due to Gout in their early life)



Extensive trials were conducted on 1,05,990 broilers in field conditions in natural outbreaks to study the efficacy of GOUTEX which is an Anti hyper uremic agent - Uricosuric in action. 

GOUTEX @ 10 ml/100 chicks/day for 4 - 9 days found effective for control of gout.

Table 2: Effect of Goutex in control of natural out breaks of gout in broilers.

 (Batches marked * revealed mild to moderate yolk sac infection preceding Gout.)

Analysing the data in the above table following observations can be made

i) Out of 34 batches observed for this purpose, gout was detected in 15 batches (44%)

ii) Gout was detected from 4th to 17th day age. In Nine batches (60%) it was early gout which started between 4 to 9 day age while in six (40% ) it started late i.e. from 11 to 17 day age.

iii) In seven batches (46.66%) gout was preceded by mild to moderate yolk sac infection in first week while in 8 (53.33% ) there was no evidence of the same.

iv) In all the batches Goutex usage was started from the day gout was detected. Treatment involved :- Goutex ( Guybro).10ml/100 chicks/day +

v) Goutex in drinking water was very effective in 11( 73.33%) batches in which the gout mortality remained low (0.08 to 3 % with average 2.02%). In two batches it was effective with gout mortality remaining between 3 to 5% (average 4.47%). In all these batches, mortality showed a definite downward trend within 24 to 48 hours and stopped by 4 to 9 days (average 6.13 days) after commencement of the Goutex in drinking water.

vi) In two out of 15 batches (13.3%) the treatment was refractory, mortality going up to 10.43% and 29.07%.

It was necessary to reduce dietary protein by about 1.4% for five days in addition to Goutex to control mortality. In all the cases the detection and recovery from gout was confirmed by post mortem examination of chicks.

In all batches, GOUTEX 10 ml/100 chicks per day was given. Mortality declined in 24 -48 hours & stopped 4 - 9 days (Av. 6-13 days).
GOUTEX has been found to be very effective for control of Gout.