Vol 5(8) Aug’15

International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE

A Report on Visceral Gout in Broilers

M. Amaravathi *, K. Satheesh2, C. Bharath Kumar Reddy3 and V. Reddy Dhyana4
1

Department of Veterinary Pathology, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, INDIA

1
M. V. Sc. Student, Veterinary Pathology, NTR CVSc, Gannavaram
2
Associate Professor, Veterinary Pathology, NTR CVSc, Gannavaram
3
Contract Teaching Faculty, Veterinary Medicine, CVSc, Tirupati
4
Contract Teaching Faculty, Veterinary Anatomy, CVSc, Tirupati

*Corresponding author: ammu.nihal@gmail.com

Rec. Date: Aug 02, 2015 05:49

Accept Date: Aug 29, 2015 00:08
Published Online: August 31, 2015
DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20150829120837

Abstract
This case report describes visceral gout in broilers caused from deprivation of water supply as a
consequence of limiting access for drinking water. Five avian carcasses were presented for the post-
mortem examination during the month of December with the history of depression, anorexia and sudden
death. Gross pathology revealed typical uricosis lesions including deposition of uric acid and its salts in
heart, kidney, intestines, proventriculus, gizzard and ureters. Subsequent to the diagnosis, owners
instituted improved water access, and mortalities decreased.

Key words: Visceral Gout, Vitamin A Deficiency, Dehydration, Broilers

Introduction

Avian gout is a metabolic condition where abnormal accumulation of white, chalky uric acid or urates
occurs in soft tissues of various organs in the body. In birds, uric acid is the final end product of nitrogen
metabolism during protein breakdown due to the absence of the enzyme uricase. It usually occurs in two
separate syndromes: visceral gout and articular gout. Phalen et al (1990) defined visceral gout as the
accumulation of uric acid tophi on serosal surfaces of the pericardium, liver capsule, airsacs and within
the kidney but may be found in any tissue. Visceral gout is among the most commonly diagnosed causes
of mortality in poultry (Riddell 1987). This report describes the importance of proper diagnosis of visceral
gout caused by dehydration in order to reduce mortality outbreaks.
Case History and Observations
Five carcasses were brought for the post-mortem examination during the month of December with the
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history of depression, anorexia and sudden death. The birds were dehydrated and in poor body condition.
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Necropsy revealed diffuse deposition of white chalky material on the serosal surface of organs of multiple

Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20150829120837

 Vol 5(8) Aug’15
International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE

organs like heart, kidneys, intestines, proventriculus, gizzard and ureters. Kidneys were irregularly shaped
and markedly enlarged. The ureters were distended with urates.
Results and Discussion
In the present study, it was observed that visceral gout in five broilers occurred during the month of
December, which was in conjunction with the findings of Shrivastava (2001) and Karasawa et al (1991)
who also reported higher mortality due to visceral gout during colder months of December to March.
There is also excess formation and decreased dissolution of uric acid at colder temperature (Sayed 2001).
Dehydrated carcasses were observed in the present study which may be due to water deprivation. This
was supported by Pollock (2006) who stated dehydration due to water deprivation as a common cause of
visceral urate deposition in domestic poultry. Dehydration is generally caused by inability to reach the
water or failure to provide adequate amount of water.

Fig.1: Urate deposition on the surface of the heart Fig.2 : Chalky white material on the surface of the
heart (Left side) and Normal heart (Right side)

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Fig.3 : Kidney showing white areas and ureters Fig. 4 : Chalky white deposition on the surface of
distended with urates intestine
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Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20150829120837

 Vol 5(8) Aug’15
International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE

Fig.5 : Chalky white deposition on the surface of proventriculus and gizzard

The pathogenesis of visceral gout is not completely understood but generally is considered to be the acute
form of disease causing huge mortality characterized by the urate deposits on serosal surfaces, most often
in the heart, kidney, liver, and air sacs as reported by McGavin and Zachary (2007) and Saif (2008).
Similar necropsy findings were observed in the present case report which included white chalky material
on heart, kidneys, intestines, proventriculus , gizzard and ureters. Kidneys are essential for fulfilling
physiologic tasks of the body. Any factor which causes kidney’s damage, leads to differences in kidney’s
physiologic tasks and eventually causes some disorders in total physiology of the body. One of the most
important factors is gout syndrome (Suryashe and Deshmukh 1997).
Apart from the water deprivation Vitamin A deficiency was also considered to be another cause of
visceral gout. The renal lesions associated with vitamin deficiency were reported by Coles (1985) to cause
hyperuricemia and gout. The ureters were distended with urates which were also reported by Bauck and
LaBonde (1997). Mortality decreased after it was ensured that the remaining birds had sufficient water. It
was also suggested to provide Vitamin A supplementation.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that visceral gout as a common cause of mortality in broilers continues to be a
diagnostic challenge. It is a metabolic disorder that results in hyperuricemia and deposition of
monosodium urate crystals in various parts of the body. The study showed that highest suspected cases of
visceral gout were recorded during colder months. Dehydration and Vitamin A deficiency were thought to
be the main causes and diffuse deposition of white chalky material on the serosal surface of organs like
heart, kidneys, intestines, proventriculus, gizzard and ureters were observed. Kidneys were irregularly
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shaped and markedly enlarged. The ureters were distended with urates. However, mortality was reduced
on providing plenty of water to the remaining birds.
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 Vol 5(8) Aug’15
International Journal of Livestock Research ISSN 2277-1964 ONLINE

References
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Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20150829120837