Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with copper liver disease and skin sores treated with copper
By Talbot, Cindy et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2023·From Massachusetts Mobile Veterinary Ultrasound, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of Superficial Necrolytic Dermatitis with Copper Chelationina Dog with Copper-Associated Hepatitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was taken to the vet because of high liver enzyme levels. Tests showed he had copper-associated hepatitis, which can cause serious liver problems. After a month, he developed painful skin issues on his feet and legs, diagnosed as superficial necrolytic dermatitis. The vet treated him with a medication to remove excess copper from his body, which helped improve his skin condition over time. Although he later experienced a return of skin lesions, switching to a different medication along with zinc helped him feel more comfortable before he passed away.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel liver disease · dog skin problems treatment · copper chelation for dogs
Abstract
A 7 yr old castrated male Cavalier King Charles spaniel presented for evaluation of liver enzyme elevations. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a small liver with mixed echogenicity, small hypoechoic nodules, and an irregular surface. Histologic examination and copper quantification of the liver obtained by laparoscopy diagnosed copper-associated hepatitis. One month later the dog developed hyperkeratosis of all four foot pads and ulcerations of feet, legs, and rectum. Punch biopsies confirmed superficial necrolytic dermatitis. After a total of 2 mo of chelation with no changes to medications, skin lesions began to improve, continuing over the following 6 wk to almost complete resolution. At this point the skin lesions returned and had minimal response to four amino acids infusions. The dog was switched from penicillamine to trientine. Zinc acetate was initiated 6 wk after the switch to trientine, and skin improvement was noted soon thereafter. At the time of death, skin lesions were improving and the dog was clinically comfortable. Copper-associated hepatitis should be considered as a possible etiology for superficial necrolytic dermatitis. Treatment of superficial necrolytic dermatitis is often unrewarding, and copper chelation, when copper-associated hepatitis has been confirmed, represents another therapeutic option.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36584317/