Copper Storage Disease In Dogscopper Storage Disease In Dogs

Copper storage or hepatotoxicosisis is a disease that results because of excess saturation of copper in the dogs liver.

Copper storage disease in dogscopper storage disease in dogs.

In other breeds primary inflammatory hepatic disease may facilitate copper accumulation because of chronic cholestasis. The urine of affected dogs might be unusually dark. 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.

This condition may be secondary to a primary disease or the result of genetic based abnormal copper metabolism. 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 the past 30 years the impact of copper accumulation on hepatic function in dogs has received considerable attention. In dogs with copper storage disease excess copper is not excreted accumulates within the liver cells and causes damage.

As the disease progresses dogs might eat and drink excessively developing abdominal swelling because of fluid buildup. 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 symptoms of copper storage disease include vomiting appetite loss lethargy and yellowing of the mucus membranes a condition known as jaundice.