Of great concern and discussion of late within the veterinary community has been the role of dietary copper as it affects copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH) in dogs. Once associated only with specific, rare breeds (e.g., Bedlington Terriers), its incidence has been reported to be rising in recent decades among all dogs, including breeds not previously considered susceptible to CAH. The disease causes severe liver damage and eventual death in afflicted animals. Because it may take years before clinical signs of the disease are evident, by the time CAH is usually detected the prognosis is bleak, even with dietary intervention and other treatments.
It should not be surprising, then, that dog owners and veterinary clinicians have become extremely concerned about CAH and what possibly can be done to potentially mitigate long-term risks. While many factors may be involved, copper intake clearly plays a role in the disease, and since the diet is the major source of copper intake, that is a logical place to start. A report authored by veterinarians prominent in their fields was published in the renowned Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, expressly calling for action by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to severely limit the amount and/or form of copper in dog foods.1
