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Copper Toxicosis

© Deborah J. Myers

Copper toxicosis is a condition that most commonly afflicts terriers such as the Bedlington terrier, Skye terrier, and West Highland white terrier. It also affects Dobermans, which makes sense when one considers that “pinscher” means “terrier,” harkening back to the Doberman’s terrier roots and the time when Louis Dobermann’s dogs were known as “Dobermann’s terriers.”

Copper toxicosis is related to the liver and excess copper accumulating in the organ because it is not metabolized. Untreated dogs can die because too much copper in the system is toxic.

Copper is normally found in the liver, brain, heart, kidney muscle and bones of healthy dogs; however, it is found only in small traces. Copper toxicosis occurs when the liver does not process copper properly, allowing it to build up to abnormal amounts.

The build-up may be caused by excessive absorption of copper, or abnormal storage of copper because of a failure of excretion mechanism.

Female Dobermans tend to have copper toxicosis more often than males. Initial symptoms indicate liver problems. They can include jaundice, hepatomegaly and haemolytic anaemia, anorexia, vomiting, weakness, weight loss, lethargy, depression, dehydration, ascites polyuria/polydipsia, cachexia, and hepatic encephalopathy, although some afflicted dogs are asymptomatic.

In later stages of the disease, dogs may experience petechial or ecchymotic hemorrhages, melena, or epistaxis. As with any ailment, early diagnosis by a veterinarian allows for a greater chance of recovery.

The only known treatments for copper toxicosis are to reduce the dog’s intake of copper by changing her diet, and anticupric therapy as recommended by a veterinarian.

Many commercial dog foods are high in copper. In human diets, shellfish, chocolate, liver, nuts, legumes and cereals are all rich with copper. These may not seem to be things common to commercial dog food, but one should read the labels and packages. Cereal is often used as a binder or filler in dog food to help those crunchy nuggets stay together for baking, or to thicken canned food.

The use of copper pipes may also add copper to the dog’s water.

The only prevention is verifying the health of the sire and bitch before taking home a puppy.

Any time a dog without known disease or injury acts lethargic, refuses water for more than a day, or vomits, the owner should contact the veterinarian. If he is fortunate, his suspicions will be unwarranted; but if the dog does have a health condition, the treatment will be much more effective.