Is Your Dog at Risk for Copper-Related Liver Disease?
Chronic liver disease can be tricky to spot in dogs, and one important culprit is copper-storage hepatopathy. This condition happens when copper builds up in the liver, causing cell damage and inflammation. Left unchecked, it can progress to serious liver problems—but early detection and treatment can control this condition.
Who’s at Risk?
While any dog can be affected, certain breeds are more prone to copper-related liver disease:
- Bedlington Terriers
- Dalmatians
- Labrador Retrievers
- Dobermans
- West Highland White Terriers
Research shows that copper plays a role in over 60% of Dobermans with chronic hepatitis, about one-third of Labradors, and nearly 20% of Westies. Most Dalmatians with liver disease also show copper involvement.
How Does Copper Harm the Liver?
Normally, excess copper is processed by the liver and excreted in bile. Problems arise when:
- The liver can’t clear copper efficiently (often due to genetics),
- The dog’s diet provides too much copper, or
- Both factors combine.
When copper builds up, it creates oxidative stress, damaging liver cells and causing inflammation—setting the stage for chronic disease.
Signs to Watch For
In the early stages, symptoms are subtle—or completely silent. Things you might notice include:
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy or lower energy
As the disease progresses, more serious signs may appear:
- Yellowing of the eyes or gums (jaundice)
- Abdominal swelling from fluid buildup
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- Behavior or neurologic changes
Dr. Alison performing an ultrasound.
How We Diagnose It
Because the early stages can be silent, screening is key—especially for at-risk breeds.
- Blood Tests: A persistently high ALT enzyme level is often our first clue.
- Ultrasound: Helps us visualize changes in liver texture, nodules, or other complications.
- Liver Biopsy: The gold standard for confirming copper accumulation and tailoring treatment.
Treatment and Management
Treating copper-storage hepatopathy is usually a lifelong process, but it’s highly manageable with the right plan:
- Copper-Restricted Diet: Special veterinary diets or carefully designed home-cooked meals. Water should also be low in copper (distilled or from flushed pipes).
- Copper Chelation: Medications like d-penicillamine help remove copper from the liver. These require several months of treatment and close monitoring.
- Zinc Therapy: Often used long-term after chelation to reduce copper absorption from food.
- Supportive Care: Antioxidants (like SAMe and Vitamin E), liver-supportive medication (such as ursodiol), and in some cases immunosuppressants (like prednisone).
Regular check-ups and blood tests are essential to track progress and adjust treatment as needed.
The Bottom Line
Copper-storage hepatopathy can be serious, but with early detection and proper care, many dogs live happy, healthy lives. Awareness of at-risk breeds and proactive screening diagnostics are key to keeping your dog’s liver healthy.