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Updated: May 4, 2026
Positron Emission Tomography Using 64-Copper as a Tracer for the Study of Copper-Related Disorders
Published on: April 28, 2023
Presumed primary and secondary hepatic copper accumulation in cats
Brandi M Hurwitz1, Sharon A Center, John F Randolph
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Objective:
To determine signalments, clinical features, clinicopathologic variables, imaging findings, treatments, and survival time of cats with presumed primary copper-associated hepatopathy (PCH) and to determine quantitative measures and histologic characteristics of the accumulation and distribution of copper in liver samples of cats with presumed PCH, extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, chronic nonsuppurative cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis, and miscellaneous other hepatobiliary disorders and liver samples of cats without hepatobiliary disease.
Design:
Retrospective cross-sectional study.
Animals:
100 cats with hepatobiliary disease (PCH [n = 11], extrahepatic bile duct obstruction [14], cholangitis-cholangiohepatitis [37], and miscellaneous hepatobiliary disorders [38]) and 14 cats without hepatobiliary disease.
Procedures:
From 1980 to 2013, cats with and without hepatobiliary disease confirmed by liver biopsy and measurement of hepatic copper concentrations were identified. Clinical, clinicopathologic, and imaging data were compared between cats with and without PCH.
Results:
Cats with PCH were typically young (median age, 2.0 years); clinicopathologic and imaging characteristics were similar to those of cats with other liver disorders. Copper-specific staining patterns and quantification of copper in liver samples confirmed PCH (on the basis of detection of > 700 μg/g of liver sample dry weight). Six cats with PCH underwent successful treatment with chelation (penicillamine; n = 5), antioxidants (5), low doses of elemental zinc (2), and feeding of hepatic support or high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets, and other hepatic support treatments. One cat that received penicillamine developed hemolytic anemia, which resolved after discontinuation of administration. Three cats with high hepatic copper concentrations developed hepatocellular neoplasia.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Results suggested that copper accumulates in livers of cats as primary and secondary processes. Long-term management of cats with PCH was possible.
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