Copper Storage Disease In Dogscopper Storage Disease In Dogs

In the past 30 years the impact of copper accumulation on hepatic function in dogs has received considerable attention.

Copper storage disease in dogscopper storage disease in dogs.

As the disease progresses dogs might eat and drink excessively developing abdominal swelling because of fluid buildup. Clinical signs are variable as some pets may not have any clinical signs while others may have severe neurological deficits secondary to liver dysfunction. In dogs with copper storage disease excess copper is not excreted accumulates within the liver cells and causes damage. All the dog breeds face the danger of contracting this disease but there are certain breeds that are more prone to this than their fellow dogs.

In some terrier breeds an inherited metabolic defect compromises copper excretion. Copper storage disease can occur as a primary disease or secondary to another disease such as diseases that cause build up of bile. Copper storage disease is a disease characterized by excessive accumulation of copper in the livers of affected patients. Copper storage hepatopathy in dogs copper storage hepatopathy is a condition caused by an abnormal accumulation of copper in the animal s liver which leads to progressive damage and scarring of the liver cirrhosis.

Copper storage disease symptoms of copper storage disease include vomiting appetite loss lethargy and yellowing of the mucus membranes a condition known as jaundice. In other breeds primary inflammatory hepatic disease may facilitate copper accumulation because of chronic cholestasis. This condition may be secondary to a primary disease or the result of genetic based abnormal copper metabolism.