INCIDENCE AND CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF GOUT IN BROILER BIRDS OF FAIZABAD AND SULTANPUR DISTRICTS OF EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH

The study was conducted in 12 different private and commercial broiler flocks for one year. Out of 23906 broiler birds examined, 1714 were clinically found to be naturally affected with gout, the incidence and mortality of gout being 7.17% and 4.37% respectively. The highest prevalence of this disease was recorded during colder months (833, 9.68%, 439, 7.06%) followed by summer (384, 5.40%) and lowest in rainy season (58, 2.92%). Of the susceptible age of first three weeks, the incidence was more during second week (9.96%), followed by first (7.63%) and third week (6.01%) of age. Out of the 12 flocks which were screened for gout 10 flocks were of cob breed (83.34%), one flock of Hubbard (8.33%) and one of Kasila breed (8.33%). The birds affected with gout had a significant (P=0.01) increase in serum uric acid (34.42 +/- 1.10). The levels of serum creatinine were significantly (P>0.01) increased (2.14 +/- 0.02). The mean values of TLC and PCV in the affected birds were significantly (P>0.01) high. TEC and Hb were also significantly (P>0.05) higher than control birds.