Copper Storage Disease in Dogs

If this disease is not identified quickly once the symptoms start to appear and it reaches the severe stage, it can rapidly take your dog’s life.

What is it?

Copper storage disease in dogs is also known as Canine copper hepatotoxicosis, and is a situation where there is an excessive accumulation of cooper in your dog’s liver.

It is believed that these abnormal accumulations are the result of the inability to pass cooper properly from their food. In normal circumstances, any excess of copper passes very naturally from your dog’s body and there are never any issues.

However, in this case, the copper does not pass properly and builds to very dangerous levels in your dog.

Once this occurs, it can very easily lead to hepatitis or something even worse, cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver in dogs is usually the result of severe damage as well as scarring of the liver over a long period of time.

The actual cause of copper storage disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be the result of an inherited condition that causes the metabolism process of this mineral to malfunction.

It may also be the result of an abnormal binding of copper to certain proteins in your dog’s liver, as well as abnormal copper secretion in their bile.

Although the actual cause is not known, what is known is that can be fatal if it becomes serious, and it does seem to be inherited as it primarily occurs in certain breeds.

Breeds affected:

Copper storage disease in dogs can affect any breed, but it is much more common in some breeds. And what makes this disease even more of a mystery, is the fact that the affected breeds seem to be attacked in different ways.

The most commonly affected breed is Bedlington Terriers, but it can and does also develop in Doberman Pinchers, West Highland White Terriers, as well as Skye Terriers. It also affects Labrador Retrievers, Spaniels, and Keeshonds. However, there are four of these breeds that are affected much more seriously, and all seem to be in different ways.

It is estimated that over 60 percent of all Bedlington Terriers are affected by this disease, and as a result, it causes hepatitis. In this breed, it is a very strong theory that they have some type of an inherited defect that causes metabolic issues.

These metabolic issues or breakdowns in turn cause copper to remain in their liver instead of being eliminated. Doberman Pinchers face the exact same risk factor; however, they are also much more prone to develop cirrhosis of the liver as well.

However, this is where another mystery with copper storage disease in dogs comes into play; the high levels of concentrations in the liver are not present in all affected breeds.

In fact, there have been several reported cases where Dobermans can have the same amounts of liver damage but with much lower concentrations of copper levels. Skye Terriers also develop chronic hepatitis as well as cirrhosis of the liver, but their high levels of copper concentrations are believed to be the result of a disorder of their bile secretions.

White Terriers also develop this disease as the result of excess levels of copper concentrations, but for some reason, they will show very few clinical signs of the disease.

Types of Copper Storage Disease:

Copper storage disease in dogs develops in three different types or stages; sub clinical, sudden acute and chronic progressive. In the sub clinical stage of this disease, your dog is being affected in their internal organs but they are not showing any signs at all of the damage that is being done to them.

Because of this, there is still no change in their behavior or are they showing any symptoms.

When it hits the next stage, the sudden acute stage, it becomes an entirely different story. In this phase, your dog can develop hepatic necrosis that can do two things; result in the death of your dog’s liver as well as the death of your dog.

The chronic progressive stage seems to affect middle aged dogs where it causes severe hepatitis. If it is not treated by this stage, it can rapidly lead to cirrhosis of your dog’s liver which will eventually take their life.

Symptoms:

Copper storage disease in dogs will show an entire litany of symptoms. In the acute form of this disease, the first symptom that you will see is anemia. This will be very easy to spot as several parts of your dog’s body will become pale because of low red blood cells counts.

This will include their gums as well as any other moist membranes. Your dog may also start to exhibit dark urine as the result of bilirubin.

Bilirubin is the breakdown of heme that is found in the hemoglobin of your dog’s blood, and it is excreted in their bile and urine. If you see dark urine, something is very wrong.In this stage your dog will also start to develop jaundice, which causes a yellowish tint in your dog’s skin and muscle membranes.

In the chronic progressive stage, there are different symptoms to watch for.

The first is usually an abdominal distention as the result of fluids building up, as well as all the same symptoms of anemia. In this stage your dog will also become extremely thirsty, and as a result will start to urinate frequently as their liver is basically starting to die.

Their nervous system may also become affected in this stage as it is unable to breakdown the ammonia that naturally accumulates. However, both of these forms may also show some other symptoms; bleeding from the gums and their nostrils, as well as severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Treatments:

Treatments for copper storage disease in dogs will all depend on the severity as well as the actual symptoms. Drugs may be used to chelate or bind the copper to assist your dog’s body in increasing the urinary extraction of copper.

Zinc acetate also helps to bind and prevent coppers absorption into your dog’s body.

Vitamin E is also supplied as an antioxidant therapy that helps to reduce the damage to the liver. Vitamin C should be totally avoided as it may actually increase the coppers damage to the liver.

However, none of these treatments should be done without the direct supervision of your veterinarian.

Summary:

Copper storage disease in dogs is a very serious and life threatening disease. Once you see any of the signs, you need to have your dog examined as quickly as possible.

If it is allowed to run its course and advances to the serious stages, it could rapidly take their life.

Natural Treatments for Copper Storage Disease in Dogs

More About Diseases, Blood, and Immunity in Dogs:

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Anemia in Dogs Canine anemia is a situation where your dog has a low red blood cell count that can be caused by several factors including a very sudden and dangerous blood loss.
Aseptic Meningitis Canine meningitis is a situation where the there is an inflammation of their meninges, which are a series of three membranes that cover both their brain and spinal cord.
Babesiosis Babesiosis in your dog is believed to be caused by tick borne protozoan parasites and it was once believed to only be found in tropical and or subtropical regions.
Bleeding Disorders Canine bleeding disorders are all subject to one of the most natural processes in your dog’s immune system; coagulation.
Brucellosis Canine Brucellosis is so serious that in some states the Health departments can demand that the dog, or dogs if it is determined to be both that are infected, be immediately put down.
Bruising & Bleeding Bruising and bleeding in your dog may be caused by clotting disorders; however, contrary to a lot of misconception, it may be only one of the factors.
Cardiac Disease Canine congenital cardiac disease simply means that your pet was born with the conditions that exist, and acquired simply means that your pet develops some type of heart condition during the course of their lives.
Congestive Heart Failure Congestive heart failure in your dog has several potential causes, but the two most common causes are referred to as DVD, or Degenerative valve disease, and DCM, Dilated cardiomyopathy.
Cyanosis in Dogs Canine Cyanosis is a situation where their skin as well as their mucous membranes will slowly start to turn a light blue or purple.
DCM in Dogs Canine DCM is known by another name, dilated cardiomyopathy, and is a disease that is best characterized by what it does to your dog’s heart.
Discoid Lupus Discoid lupus in your dog is an autoimmune disease which means their immune system basically attacks itself, exactly like systemic lupus does.
Cushings Disease Canine Cushing’s disease is also known as “hyperadrenocorticism” and is a result of a chronic overproduction of too much cortisone.
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Leishmaniasis Canine Leishmaniasis is much more difficult to treat than it is in humans and no one really seems to understand why.
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