Necroscopic findings of visceral uric gout in rainbow loris (Trichoglossus haematodus): Case report

Abstract

Uric gout is a common disorder in birds kept in captivity as companion animals, being characterized by the deposit of urate crystals in several organs, which can present as visceral or articular gout. This case report deals with the macroscopic findings of visceral uric gout at the necropsy of a rainbow lory (Trichoglossus haematodus). The necropsy highlighted the diffuse accumulation of urate on the pericardium, liver, intestines, spleen and kidneys, with no signs of joint gout. These lesions found are consistent with what has been described in the literature regarding visceral uric gout. In addition to these, we also found: hepatomegaly with altered liver color, which may be suggestive of hepatic lipidosis. Knowing that gout is a metabolic disorder, there are several possibilities for its onset, usually associated with nutritional causes such as: excess protein in the diet, toxicosis by hypervitaminosis D3, vitamin A deficiency and excess calcium, in addition to renal failure or severe dehydration, with vitamin A deficiency being closely linked to kidney damage. Hyperuricemia, one of the factors that precedes gout, may be associated with fasting and a lysine-deficient diet. Nutritional factors are important in the case report, since the rainbow loris is a species with extremely specific habits, consuming foods with lower protein levels than other parrot species. This is the first report of visceral uric gout in Trichoglossus haematodus.