A micromethod for plasma uric acid determinations in companion birds

A simple inexpensive method is described for determining plasma uric acid levels in companion birds. Plasma uric acid concentrations in 33 healthy parakeets were determined by a modification of the uricase spectrophotometric procedure utilizing 50 microliters of plasma. The mean uric acid level in parakeets was 5.60 mg/dl blood plasma, with no significant difference between males and females. In White Leghorn chickens, however, the mean level of uric acid in plasma was 7.19 mg/dl in males and 3.05 mg/dl in females. This method may be useful for the diagnosis and study of gout in small birds.