You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

The Bedlington Terrier was the first breed of dog to be identified as being predisposed to develop liver disease associated with high copper concentrations (so-called "copper toxicosis") - but do you know which other breeds have subsequently been reported to develop high copper concentrations in the liver ?

Copper accumulation in the liver can be due to a primary metabolic defect (as in those breeds with a confirmed inherited disorder) , or it can be secondary to another liver disease resulting in reduced excretion of copper.

There are 4 breeds in which copper toxicosis is known to be inherited :

• Bedlington Terrier
• Doberman Pinscher
• Skye Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier

There are another 16 breeds in which high copper concentrations have been reported, but a genetic trait has still to be confirmed :

• Airedale Terrier
• Bull Dog
• Cocker Spaniel
• Collie
• Dalmatian
• German Shepherd Dog
• Golden Retriever
• Keeshond
• Labrador Retriever
• Norwich Terrier
• Old English Sheepdog
• Pekingese
• Poodle
• Samoyed
• Schnauzer
• Wire-haired Fox Terrier

Normal liver copper concentrations are <400mg/g  (or parts per million -ppm) of liver tissue (dry weight). Copper studies conducted on submitted liver liver samples at Colorado State University showed that over 45% of samples had high copper content, which supports the recommendation that copper analysis should be routinely performed in all cases of canine liver disease. This is particularly advisable for the 16 breeds listed above, in which there could be a primary genetic disorder.

Updated January 2016