Canine copper-associated hepatitis: A retrospective study of 17 clinical cases

Abstract

Background: Copper-associated hepatitis (CAH) is a well-documented chronic hepatic disease in dogs. In some breeds, the disease results from an inherited defect in copper metabolism. In others, it is unclear whether its acummulation is a primary or secondary condition. Reports of copper accumulation in dog breeds that are not genetically predisposed are increasing.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory findings, liver biopsy techniques, and treatment response in dogs with CAH.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed, drawing upon medical records from CAH dogs at a Veterinary Referral Hospital in Paris, France. The diagnosis of CAH had been confirmed in these patients by positive rhodanine staining of hepatic tissue obtained through biopsy. Medical records were mined for the following data: age at presentation, sex, breed, chief presenting complaints, abdominal ultrasound (US) findings, and rhodanine staining pattern.

Results: A total of 17 dogs were included in the study. Median age at presentation was 8-year old (4-11). No sex predisposition was found. Terriers (4/17) and German Shepherd Dogs (GSD, 3/17) were overrepresented. American Staffordshire Terriers and Beauceron had not previously appeared in case reports on CAH; two of each breed were identified in this study. Clinical signs of affected dogs were non-specific. An incidental identification of increased liver-enzymes was observed in 5/17 dogs. A heterogeneous, mottled liver was frequently described (5/17) on abdominal US. Liver biopsies were performed by US-guided percutaneous approach in 10/17 dogs, laparoscopy and laparotomy in 6/17 and 1/17, respectively. The rhodanine staining pattern was centrilobular (zone 3) in 8/17 dogs and periportal (zone 1) in 3/17 dogs. The pattern was considered multifocal in 6/17 dogs.

Conclusion: Increased liver enzymes may be the only clinical finding in dogs with copper-associated hepatitis, reflecting the silent progression of this disease. Centrilobular pattern of rhodanine staining was observed in the majority of cases suggesting the primary condition of the disease. Results of this study are consistent with the current literature, which reports that terriers and GSD are predisposed to CAH. This is the first description of CAH in Beauceron and American Staffordshire Terrier dogs.

Keywords: American Staffordshire Terrier; Beauceron; Copper-associated hepatitis; Liver biopsy; Rhodanine.

Fig. 1.. Distribution of dog breeds diagnosed with copper-associated hepatitis between May 2010 and March 2017 in a French Veterinary Referral Center.

Fig. 2.. Main complaints of dogs diagnosed with copper-associated hepatitis between May 2010 and March 2017 in a Veterinary Referral Hospital from Paris region (France).

Fig. 3.. Histological section of canine liver. Haematoxylineosin stain. Magnification × 100, bar = 100,100 μm. Hepatitis with centrolobular zone infiltrated by lymphocytes, plasma cells and a few neutrophils (black arrow). Normal portal space (red arrow).

Fig. 4.. Histological section of canine liver. Rhodanine stain. Magnification × 100, bar = 100 μm. Copper accumulation around the centrolubular spaces (black arrows) with relative sparing of the periportal area (red arrow).