title: Copper associated acute hepatic failure in a dog.
abstract: A 1.5-year-old Dalmatian was examined because of vomiting, weight loss, and high serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed normal appearing hepatic structure with echogenicity, but histologic examination of hepatic biopsy specimens revealed extensive necrosis of hepatocytes involving the centrilobular areas. Macrophages and remaining hepatocytes contained pigments that were positive for copper by rubeanic acid-staining and hepatic copper concentration was high. The dog was treated with crystalloid fluids, antibiotics, and a low copper diet; its condition deteriorated, and the dog was euthanatized. Primary copper storage disease was suspected on the basis of histologic findings and high copper concentration in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6010, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Noaker
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Washabau
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Detrisac
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heldmann
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hendrick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008664:Metal Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D009336:Necrosis; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003300:Copper