Doberman copper storage induced hepatopathy

[Ddski5]

Vomited Sunday. Held food Sunday night and Monday but wanted to eat Monday evening. Fine Tues but vomiting again and just not acting like our wonderful Freyja.

Was able to get her into the one vet that I like yesterday. Blood panel revealed that her Liver values (ALT and ALP) are unreadable…so high it cannot be recorded, which designates severe liver injury. Freyja stayed and is hospitalized.

I have zero idea what in the hell is going on. She is not an eater and is a smart girl. She is practically with me 24/7. The vet said he saw a recent case of this from dog ingesting xylitol- a sugar free substitute in chewing gum. I do not chew gum.
Vet said probably gum, sago palm or toxic mushroom.

No Sago palms.

It has been raining here the last week so mushrooms are budding up.

We have been running alot (rain or shine) prepping for FastCAT this weekend and a 2.5mile race in Dec. Maybe something at a local park?? I just cannot figure it out.

Freyja is such a sweet soul, your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[LifeofRubie]

ooooh sweet Freyja, why!? sending good vibes

 

[Panama]

Sending prayers and good vibes for Freyja & you

 

[Kaiser2016]

Sending positive thoughts and vibes for Freyja. Please keep us updated!

 

[Rits]

Oh gosh, prayers for Freyja!!!

 

[JanS]

Oh no, prayers are sent...

 

[jazzies mum]

I am so sorry to hear good girl Freyja is so ill! Sending all the best good vibes and hoping to hear good news soon.

 

[Ddski5]

Went and visited Freyja this afternoon and her nub is wagging.

Vet said that her liver numbers have come down slightly but not enough and she is not eating. She appeared hungry to me and was very excited to see us. How endearing it is when she looks at me.

Vet said they will redo lab test Saturday morning. I think they know me too well, if they checked tomorrow and values were down more, I would bring her home regardless.

Still can’t figure it out unless she consumed Cyanobacteria at one of the parks we were running at. I recall her drinking some water out of a lake…..

 

[Gpcoguy]

Sorry to hear about that. Hope you get som answers as to what is going on and wishing you a quick and full recovery

 

[JanS]

Still can’t figure it out unless she consumed Cyanobacteria at one of the parks we were running at. I recall her drinking some water out of a lake

That's all together a possibility; especially in your warmer climate. Hopefully she can come home soon and this will all be behind her.

 

[MyBuddy]

They worry us so! Praying hard for you guys! I pray that there will be a wonderful turnaround today!!

 

[Ddski5]

I believe we have narrowed it down to Doberman hepatopathy.

The vet called me last night, he was doing some research with one of his colleagues. They both recall Dobermans having a genetic predisposition to hepatitis. He said that Freyja’s pathology presentation is mirroring that of Doberman hepatopathy.

He told me to google Doberman hepatitis and get back with him to see what I think. I have been scouring through all this for a while now. Only way to be definitive in that is to do a liver biopsy to see if there is a surplus of copper in the liver. But the biopsy requires anesthesia and I don’t want her to go under because the liver has to work harder to metabolize it out of the body. But then this morning he said he figured a way to collect some serum to see if there was a copper overflow.

Anyways…
I did not know that Dobermans are genetically predisposed to have significant liver issues. And some of the hepatopathy is caused by copper storage in the liver.

The AAFCO is in controversy right now because of experts informing them that there has been a significant rise of liver issues. Within the last 10-15yrs, it has moved on from Labs, Dobermans and Dalmatians and now there is an increase of all dog breeds reporting liver issues.

The is a lot of detailed reports and info but this one seemed to explain the best:

World's top veterinary expert in dog liver disease says there's too much copper in dog food; regulators decline to take action as more dogs get sick. | The Canine Review

The number of dogs now at risk for fatal liver diseases has skyrocketed over the past decade and the culprit is excess levels of copper in commercial dog di ...

thecaninereview.com

 

[JanS]

Wow that's scary for sure. Have you talked to the breeder about this? She's pretty knowledgeable about most of these things.

Interestingly enough, I just got this article yesterday from Dog Food Advisor.

What is Copper Storage Disease in Dogs? | Dog Food Advisor

Copper Storage Disease (CSD) in dogs is a disease more of us are becoming aware of — here’s everything you need to know.

www.dogfoodadvisor.com

 

[Two Dobes]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this.....I would feel the same way; health heading "slightly" in the right direction; I'm taking them home.
Prayers for you all!

 

[Kaiser2016]

If it turns out to be liver disease, is this something that can be managed? She’s so young. Ugh. Hopefully the serum test will provide some more direction. I agree the biopsy would put more pressure on her liver. How is she otherwise? Can you bring her home?

 

[Ukesox]

So sorry to hear this & am hoping for good news

 

[Ddski5]

Wow that's scary for sure. Have you talked to the breeder about this? She's pretty knowledgeable about most of these things.

Interestingly enough, I just got this article yesterday from Dog Food Advisor.

What is Copper Storage Disease in Dogs? | Dog Food Advisor

Copper Storage Disease (CSD) in dogs is a disease more of us are becoming aware of — here’s everything you need to know.

www.dogfoodadvisor.com

That is a very good article that sums it up pretty good.

I did talk to Melissa. Yes there is some hepatopathy in Freyja’s family history more on the Sire side than of Melrae’s Dam. It reads a lot like what Freyja is experiencing….She reached out to them to confirm and find some more information.

Seems they caught it early enough, put on low copper food with liver supplements and was able to manage it. I think the Doberman is still alive today at 10.
- Voyager Dog food is low in copper.

From the articles I have read, there is no max cap the AAFCO says is too high it only provides a min of how much copper must be in the food which is 7mg/kg.

I called these dog food companies and ask them their copper content:
-Eagle Pack Chicken/Pork is 16.25mg/kg
-Purina Pro Salmon is 16.0mg/kg
-TOTW- all dry dog food is 16mg/kg
-FROMM- black bag Gold is 13.12mg/kg
-Voyager is 7.5mg/kg
-Royal Canin is 7mg/kg

-and dog food high in protein is not good because it overworks the liver. It has to break down the high protein.

 

[Ddski5]

If it turns out to be liver disease, is this something that can be managed? She’s so young. Ugh. Hopefully the serum test will provide some more direction. I agree the biopsy would put more pressure on her liver. How is she otherwise? Can you bring her home?

Went and saw her last night and she seemed in good spirits- backed up into my leg and sat on my foot as in saying this is my spot….

I will try and see her again tonight. They are suppose to run test again tomorrow and if the numbers are down more and she is eating?.?.?.damn I gonna be tempted. But I know they are gonna want to keep her until her numbers are back in normal range.

Glad she has insurance, I am sure we are in the 2k range.

 

[Kswoodssue]

Crazy busy around here and just read this! Darn it all! Sounds like your vet is on top of things. Thanks for sharing the info! Sending prayers.

 

[jazzies mum]

Still sending all the best wishes your way. It's good that they think they have a diagnosis that doesn't leave you wondering what actually caused this. And it's also good news that you know that there are ways to manage it.