Canine copper-associated hepatitis (CCAH) has become an increasingly recognized cause of progressive and potentially fatal liver disease in dogs; however, the exact etiology remains unclear. To date, no broad epidemiologic investigations quantifying hepatic copper concentrations over time in both predisposed (to CCAH) and non-predisposed breeds have been conducted. The purpose of our study was to determine and compare quantitative hepatic copper concentrations in breeds that are, or are not, predisposed to CCAH from two study periods. We hypothesized that hepatic copper concentrations have increased for all dogs over time, but the relative increase will be greater in predisposed breeds. A retrospective search of the histopathology database at the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health was conducted for two study periods: 1982 through 1988, and 2009 through 2015. Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, and West Highland White Terriers were considered predisposed to CCAH. Dalmatians, Skye Terriers, and Bedlington Terriers were excluded from analysis due to a rarity of cases, limited information on predisposition, or a known genetic etiology, respectively. Cases with archived liver tissue available were randomlyselected, reviewed, and then classified by breed and presence or absence of inflammatory liver disease. Hepatic copper concentrations (parts per million, dry weight basis) were measured in all specimens using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Comparisons were made within and across groupings using commercially available statistical software.
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