• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.249-253
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• 2011

A 4-year-old intact female American Cocker Spaniel presented with lack of appetite, shivering, and abdominal distension. It was initially diagnosed with chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis, by serum chemistry, radiography, ultrasonography, and histopathologic examination following liver biopsy. Abundant copper granules were detected in most hepatocytes with rhodanine stain, with hepatic copper concentration at 1460 ppm (reference range: <400 ppm). Based on these findings, copper-associated hepatitis with cirrhosis was diagnosed and successfully managed with long-term D-penicillamine, s-adenosylmethionine, biphenyl-dimethyl-dicarboxylate and supportive care. The spaniel died 35 months after diagnosis.