Obstructive uropathy induced visceral gout in crested serpent eagle (Spilornischeela)

A case of mortality in two captive Crested Serpent Eagles (Spilornischeela) from Aizawl zoo was investigated for cause of death. Postmortem findings of chalky white deposits on visceral organs was indicative of visceral gout. Presence of urate deposits in various organs was confirmed by De-galantha's method. Urate tophi were also evident in sections stained with H&E. The lesions observed in both the birds were common. The kidney tubules revealed severe pathological changes and urate deposits. Similarly liver sections also revealed tophi and degenerative changes. However there was no inflammatory reaction in both the organs except around tophi. Obstructive uropathy was diagnosed as the cause of visceral gout.