A UC Davis study is investigating why Labrador retrievers develop copper-associated hepatopathy and whether blood-based tools could help identify the disease before serious liver damage occurs.
Ellie's owners enrolled their young Labrador retriever in a clinical trial assuming she was a healthy control. Instead, despite completely normal liver values on standard blood work, testing through the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials uncovered something they didn't know was there: excess copper accumulation in her liver.1
Ellie's experience illustrates the challenge researchers at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine are trying to address with a new study of copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH) in Labrador retrievers. Funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, the study is using blood-based technologies to investigate the underlying causes of CAH and develop noninvasive diagnostic tools.1,2
"This issue is highly prevalent and incredibly insidious," said lead investigator Tarini Ullal, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), in the UC Davis announcement. "A pet's liver values might be completely normal and they can feel perfectly well right up until the end stage of the disease, when it is simply too late."1
Copper-associated hepatopathy is caused by excessive copper accumulation in the liver. If the disease is not diagnosed or treated, it can cause significant liver damage and ultimately liver failure. Labrador retrievers are among the dogs at risk for the condition.1,2
The causes and mechanisms of CAH are complex and may involve genetic, metabolic and environmental factors, including diet. The UC Davis study is designed to investigate those factors while also looking for biomarkers that could help veterinarians identify CAH without relying solely on invasive diagnostic procedures.2
Researchers will compare 3 groups of Labrador retrievers: dogs with CAH, dogs with immune-mediated chronic hepatitis and healthy control dogs. Blood and liver samples will be collected as part of the study.2
The researchers are particularly interested in whether information obtained from blood samples can help distinguish CAH from immune-mediated chronic hepatitis and identify dogs with the disease. The longer-term goal is to improve understanding of CAH and develop approaches for noninvasive screening and diagnosis.2
"The bonus was we unexpectedly found she had a copper disease that we can now treat to keep her healthy and give her a very long life!" Ellie's owner said.1
Ullal said the study is intended to help researchers better understand what causes the disorder, including whether genetic, environmental, and dietary factors contribute to its development, and emphasized the need for more effective screening to help prevent dogs from progressing to liver failure.1
The study has received a $233,211 grant from the AKC Canine Health Foundation and has a grant period running from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028.3
The UC Davis Veterinary Center for Clinical Trials is seeking Labrador retrievers for participation, including dogs with CAH, dogs with immune-mediated chronic hepatitis and healthy control dogs. The cost of liver biopsy is covered for enrolled dogs. Interested owners and referring veterinarians can contact the center at 530-754-1954 to learn more about eligibility.1,2
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