Copper Toxicosis in Norwich terriers

Copper toxicosis is an abnormal accumulation of copper in the liver. (In humans, this is called "Wilson's disease".) Recently a Norwich was discovered with a DNA allele in the ATP7B gene that is correlated with copper toxicosis. Unfortunately the only way to confirm copper toxicosis is with an invasive liver biopsy.

There is a very good episode about copper toxicosis in the podcast "The Functional Dog Collaborative". The particular episode was "Dr. Hille Fieten, Coper Toxicity".

The scientific paper (which is fairly technical)

Serum miR-30b is increased in Labrador Retrievers with elevated hepatic copper levels, Roelen et. al., The Veterinary Journal, June 2025.

talks about an exploratory study that found that a specific microRNA in blood corrolated with liver copper levels. If validated in a larger group of dogs, this would give a less invasive way than a liver biopsy for diagnosing copper toxicosis.

Last updated 20250327