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Chronic active hepatitis in 26 Doberman pinschers
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 15, 1985
Summary
Doberman Pinschers with chronic active hepatitis show increased liver copper. Clinical signs ranged from severe liver failure to mild illness, with varied outcomes despite treatments like dietary changes and corticosteroids.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hepatology
- Canine Diseases
Background:
- Chronic active hepatitis is a serious liver condition.
- Doberman Pinschers are predisposed to certain liver diseases.
- Hepatic copper concentration is a factor in some liver conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chronic active hepatitis in Doberman Pinschers.
- To correlate hepatic copper concentration with the disease.
- To describe clinical signs, clinicopathologic changes, and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosed chronic active hepatitis in 26 Doberman Pinschers (25 female, 1 male).
- Monitored clinical signs, clinicopathologic data, and disease progression.
- Assigned dogs to three groups based on clinical course and severity.
- Administered supportive care, dietary manipulations, and corticosteroids as treatment.
Main Results:
- All dogs exhibited increased hepatic copper concentration.
- Common signs included polyuria/polydipsia, weight loss, anorexia, icterus, and ascites.
- Liver enzyme activities were consistently increased, with abnormal liver function tests.
- Outcomes varied, with some dogs experiencing rapid decline and others longer survival.
Conclusions:
- Chronic active hepatitis in Doberman Pinschers is associated with elevated hepatic copper.
- Clinical presentation and progression of the disease are variable.
- The exact association between increased liver copper and chronic active hepatitis remains unclear.