Bedlington Terrier - Copper Toxicosis

[lurcher lover]

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Hi All,

I have a 3 yrs old Beddlington Terrier called Gypsey, who has (unfortunately) just been diagnosed with Copper Toxicoxis.

Apparently, this is a fairly common disease for this breed. There livers are unable to tolerate copper and cannot break it down, therefore, it just stores up in the liver. However, not all Beddlington suffer from this.

She had a biopsy a couple of weeks ago and the results showed an excessive amount of copper in the liver. Most dogs have a level of 50,000 micromilimeters and Gypseys is 177,000 - so quite high.

She has just started on a new diet (which she doesn't really like) and is starting on medication on Monday to help draw the copper back out of her liver. However, this can take several months to work and in the meantime the liver may fail.

Also, the tablets are very strong and alot of dogs cannot cope with them.

Just wandered, if anyone on here had any experience of this disease and could offer some advice.

Gypsey, is still quite bright at the minute and is happy to go chasing the ball down the fields.

Debs

 

[lurcher lover]

sorry, posted in wrong section. Moved to General Dog Discussion.

Deb

 

[bertha]

I don't know anything about it, have a go at contacting the Kennel Club, it is and inherited problem and all responsible breeders test for it.

Sorry to hear your Beddy has it, and hope she improves. Have you contacted her breeder, they should be told really.

Good luck. :huggles:

 

[cyfrin]

Hi ll - so sad to hear about Gypsey If you Google th disease there is a lot of info 'out there' but here is a good link to start

http://www.auntjeni.com/copper.htm

I do hope Gyp responds to the medication.

 

[baxterbrave]

Hello, your post is old but relevant! My whippet Bedlington lurcher has been diagnosed with CT and is responding well to medication, though I've had one or two slip ups with unhelpful foods which made him worse. I wonder if you have any advice on feeding. I know the outlook may not be great but medication seems to be good and I'm giving it my all so any help welcome.

Thanks!