Clinical signs are not diagnostic. Anorexia, depression, emaciation, lethargy, and change in temperment may be observed. Birds may die suddenly or waste away gradually. This is evaporated slowly over a bunsen burner, allowed to cool, and then one drop of ammonia is added. The exact cause of gout is not known.
Uric acid is produced mainly in the liver and is excreted by the kidneys.
High blood levels of uric acid fabor its precipitation in tissues. Several predisposing factors may be involved in urate deposition. The prognosis for affected birds is very poor. It is not possible to cure birds with gout. Urates already deposited in tissues can not be resorbed.