Gout in poultry

Avian gout is a metabolic disorder in which high level of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricaemia) subsequently precipitates as monosodium/calcium urate crystals in a variety of locations, particularly in the kidneys and on the serous membranes of various internal organs (liver, heart, air sacs) or various joints. These crystals, being insoluble in tissue fluids and having sharp ends, cause physical damage to the tissues leading to a cascading inflammatory reaction. (Sandhyarani K et al., 2022). Avian gout is responsible for a great deal of morbidity (sickness) and mortality (deaths) in both broilers and layers.