Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with zinc poisoning and copper deficiency after swallowing brass
By Meiser, H & Schulz, R·Published in Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift·1997·Institut fü·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Zinc intoxication dogs with simultaneous zinc deficiency--an expanded case study].
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dachshund was brought in for vomiting, not eating, lethargy, and anemia. The vet discovered a metal button made of brass in the dog's stomach, which was removed. Blood tests showed high zinc levels and very low copper levels, indicating a complex interaction between these two minerals. After treatment, the dog's condition improved, highlighting the importance of monitoring both zinc and copper levels in pets.
People also search for: dog vomiting and not eating · dachshund anemia treatment · zinc copper deficiency in dogs
Abstract
A dachshund suffered from vomitus, anorexia, apathy, and anemia. A metal button consisting of brass (alloy of copper and zinc) was diagnosed in the stomach and was removed. Blood analysis revealed an elevated level of zinc (10.7 micrograms/ml) associated with a low copper concentration (0.02 microgram/ml). This apparently paradoxical finding of copper deficiency despite of copper exposition (brass button) caused us to determine the diaminoxidase activity in serum, representing an indicator for the copper accumulating ceruloplasmin. The enzyme activity was found to be decreased. The case study brings to mind the mutual interaction between zinc and copper. Apparently, a copper deficiency is not necessarily due to a reduced supply of copper. Moreover, as shown by further investigations, an attenuated diaminoxidase activity represents an important parameter to diagnose a copper deficient state.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9324930/