title: Further studies on the use of allopurinol to reduce plasma uric acid concentrations in the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) hyperuricaemic model.
abstract: The present paper reports the effects of allopurinol in a raptor hyperuricaemic model. The study was performed as a follow-up to previous experiments wherein allopurinol was used in doses of 100 and 50 mg/kg, and was proved to be toxic at these higher dose rates. To investigate whether 25 mg/kg (semel in die) s.i.d. allopurinol is a safe and effective dose in Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) to reduce plasma uric acid concentrations, experimental studies were performed using the physiologically occurring postprandial hyperuricaemia. Preprandial and postprandial plasma concentrations of xanthine, hypoxanthine, allopurinol, oxypurinol and uric acid were established by high-performance liquid chromatography at various time intervals after receiving allopurinol (25 mg/kg SID) or placebo. No significant differences were observed between the experimental and the control group. These results indicate that this dose is safe to administer; however, this dose failed to cause a significant effect on plasma uric acid concentrations. Because of the low therapeutic ratio of allopurinol in Red-tailed Hawks, follow-up studies have concentrated on an alternative for the treatment of hyperuricaemia, namely urate oxidase.
authors.affiliation: Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Universiteit Utrecht, Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poffers
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lumeij
authors.forename: E P M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Timmermans-Sprang
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Redig
mesh_terms: D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D020304:Raptors / Q000097:blood*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006074:Gout Suppressants; D014527:Uric Acid; D000493:Allopurinol