Chronic active hepatitis in 26 Doberman pinschers.
Chronic active hepatitis with increased hepatic copper concentration was diagnosed in 25 female and 1 male Doberman Pinscher dogs. Common clinical signs included polyuria/polydipsia, weight loss, anorexia, icterus, and ascites. Increased liver enzyme activities and abnormal liver function test results were the most consistent clinicopathologic changes. The dogs were assigned to 3 groups on the basis of clinical course of the disease. Group 1 dogs (n = 12) had clinical signs of advanced liver failure and died within one week. Group 2 dogs (n = 7) had less severe clinical signs of liver disease and died within one month. Group 3 dogs (n = 5) did not have clinical signs of illness or had mild clinical signs of liver disease and died 1 to 42 months after initial evaluation. One dog could not be reevaluated and another dog was alive 3 months after initial examination. Treatments consisted of supportive care for dogs in group 1, and dietary manipulations and corticosteroids for dogs in groups 2 and 3. The association of increased liver copper concentration and chronic active hepatitis is not known.
D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006522:Hepatitis, Infectious Canine / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male