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