Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver copper levels in 546 dogs studied from 1982 to 2015
By Strickland, Jaimie M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·From the Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hepatic copper concentrations in 546 dogs (1982-2015).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at liver samples from 546 dogs to understand how copper levels in their livers have changed over the years. It found that from 1982 to 2015, the amount of copper in dogs, especially those at risk for copper-associated hepatitis (CAH), has significantly increased. In fact, the number of dogs with high copper levels rose dramatically, indicating that both at-risk and non-at-risk breeds are affected. This suggests that CAH is becoming more common, possibly due to rising environmental copper exposure. If your dog shows signs of liver issues, it’s important to discuss copper levels with your vet.
People also search for: dog liver disease symptoms · copper levels in dogs · copper-associated hepatitis treatment · why is my dog lethargic · dog liver health diet
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Copper associated hepatitis (CAH) has been increasingly recognized in dogs, and speculation exists that hereditary defects in copper metabolism have been exacerbated by increased environmental copper exposure. However, no broad epidemiological investigations have been performed to investigate quantitative hepatic copper concentrations ([Cu]) over time in both dogs that are (predisposed breed [PB]), and are not (non-predisposed breed [NPB]), considered at-risk for CAH. OBJECTIVES: To investigate [Cu]in dogs and explore temporal, demographic, and histologic associations spanning 34 years. ANIMALS: 546 archived liver specimens. METHODS: Retrospective study. Searches of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory database identified dogs that had undergone hepatic histopathologic assessment. Cases with archived tissue were reviewed and classified by breed, time period, and presence or absence of hepatitis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine [Cu]. RESULTS: In time period 2009-2015, median [Cu]were 101 μg/g and 313 μg/g greater than median [Cu]in time period 1982-1988 for NPB and PB dogs, respectively (P < .001 for both comparisons). The proportion of dogs with [CU]> 300 μg/g increased in NPB (28% to 49%) and PB dogs (48% to 71%) during these periods (P = .002 for both comparisons). Median [Cu]in dogs with hepatitis increased 3-fold over time in both NPB (P = .004) and PB populations (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The frequent recognition of CAH in recent years is likely due to the observed increases in [Cu]over time. Importantly, effects are not limited to PB dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30294943/