Introduction:
Visceral gout is the deposition of white urates, which are normally excreted as a white cap on well formed faeces, in various tissues. Urates are also often deposited in joints and in the kidney. This condition can occur as an individual problem at any age. Outbreaks are seen in young chicks in the first week of life (baby chick nephropathy) or in flocks suffering kidney damage, or reduced water intake. All poultry species are susceptible. The kidney damage can arise from infection with certain strains of Infectious Bronchtiis virus, exposure to some mycotoxins or inadequate water intake (often because the birds have not adapated to a new type of drinker). Baby Chick Nephropathy can be due to inappropriate egg storage conditions, excessive water loss during incubation or during chick holding/transport, or inadequate water intake during the first few days of life. Very low humidity in brooding will also increase the likelihood of this problem. The timing of mortality is a reasonable guide as to the source of the problem. In Pekin/mallard ducks the condition is almost always due to inadequate water intake, whereas in muscovy ducks it is seen in breeders allowed to continue laying for over 24 weeks without a rest.
Signs:
Depression. Low feed intake and growth
Post-mortem lesions:
Chalky white deposits visceral surfaces, in tendon sheaths, and on articular cartilages. Similar deposits may be present in joints and are usually present in the kidney.
Diagnosis:
Lesions.
ETIOLOGY:
The hyperuricemia that must precede deposition of urates in tissues may be the result of increased rate of synthesis of purine precursors of uric acid, decreased elimination of uric acid by kidneys, or a combined effect. Excess dietary protein would lead to an excess of purine precursors; certain chemicals, toxins, feed ingredients, infectious agents, and vitamin A deficiency may damage kidneys or cause kidney dysfunction. Genetics may play a role in susceptibility to gout.
Present Methods of Prevention:
Careful monitoring of the conditions of hatching egg storage and incubation with a view to achieving a standard egg weight loss profile. Humidification of holding rooms and chick transporters may also be beneficial. Humidifiers in chick brooding areas are being used increasingly, especially where whole house hot air brooders are in use. Ample supplies of drinkers should be available and filled with water at house temperature prior to the arrival of the chicks.
Current practices of Treatment:
This is based on correcting any management errors and encouraging water intake. Avoid any intentional or unintentional restriction in water intake. Sodium bicarbonate at 1g/litre water is mildly diuretic, however it could be counter-productive if water intake is in any way restricted.
Actions indicated for the processes behind this disease:
Anti-Rheumatics will help to some degree, but only those that have marked diuretic properties.
Diuretics play the pivotal role in any attempt at going beyond symptom relief, as they can help flush the urates from the body.
Anti-Inflammatories may help, but not any where near as much as the patient would like. The inflammation is an appropriate body response to the presence of crystals.
Analgesics may help. Aspirin is given solely for analgesic effect, since it has no curative properties. Dosage is 0.3g (5 gr) dissolved in 240 ml of water, given as drinking water or by dropper.
CONTENTS OF GOUTEX
Cinnamomum cassia
Colchicum autumnale
Cooked Allium sativum
Eupatorium purpureum
Agropyron repens
Apium graveolens
Guaiacum officinalis
Urtica dioica
Matricaria chamomilla
Piper Betle
Piper Methysticum
MODE OF ACTION OF GOUTEX:
Enzyme xanthine oxidase from the liver is inhibited by garlic. This enzyme is involved in chemical processes that lead to excess accumulations of uric acid, which cause terrible pain when deposited in joints. Cooked garlic was more effective at inhibiting this enzyme than fresh garlic juice, showing that something other than allicin is responsible, because allicin disappears after cooking.
All the other herbs help in correcting excessive accumulations of uric acid and in causing depletion of the same from the stored points.
While most of the herbs used are Diuretic, some are Anti-Rheumatics.
While some herbs used are Anti-Inflammatories some are analgesic.
Indications:
Visceral Gout, Nephrosis, Baby Chick Nephropathy
Broader Context of Treatment WITH GOUTEX:
Reduce meat and related inputs as it is rich in uric acid forming components.
For drinking, slightly alkaline natural spring water is recommended.
Avoid purine feeding stuff related to crab, fish, liver, meat mussels, peas & beans, sardines.
SUGGESTED LEVEL AND METHOD OF USAGE:
Preventive: 1 Kg/Ton Feed once in a month
Curative: 2 Kg/Ton feed three days
