Hairs To Health - Bedlington Terrier Study

Bedlington Terriers, Copper Storage Disease and Nutrition

Christine Huebner, Hairs to Health, Inc.

Our observations upon examination of hair mineral analysis samples, and recently working with a group of Bedlington Terriers, have led to the conclusion that nutritional balance is a significant factor in how Bedlington Terriers cope with copper. Within the dog world, Bedlington Terriers were the first breed to find a high incidence of excess copper accumulation in the liver. Subsequently, copper accumulation in the liver has been documented in several other breeds of dogs such as; West Highland White Terriers, Cairn Terriers, American Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Frise, Havanese, Labrador Retrievers, Keeshonds, Doberman Pinschers, and Skye Terriers.[1] Evidence is accumulating that excess copper is a cause of liver issues in breeds of dogs other than those listed. Professor David Twedt, liver specialist at Colorado State University has indicated that over the past several decades, elevation of liver copper levels have been observed in many breeds of dogs. As more data are accumulated, copper storage problem appears to have characteristics that are very similar among all of the affected breeds. This suggests that environmental factors, specifically diets leading to nutritional imbalance, may be a factor in the onset and manifestation of excess storage of copper in the liver. Our theory is that an imbalance in vitamins and minerals that regulate copper metabolism appears be responsible.

Research indicates that Bedlington Terriers have reduced ability to eliminate copper from the liver. It is not known why some dogs tolerate high levels of copper in their livers without symptoms while others are distressed at much lower levels of copper. After observation of three liver biopsies, the symptoms may correlate to elevated levels of iron in the liver also.

Bronze staining on white furA small study to evaluate hair (fur) mineral analyses a s a tool to evaluate Bedlington Terriers was undertaken by Hairs to Health, Inc. and Pam Dickerson, Chair, Health and Wellness Bedlington Terrier Club of America. In this study, four Bedlington Terriers were biopsied to determine liver levels of copper, iron, manganese and zinc. In addition hair mineral analysis was preformed. Upon interpretation of the hair analyses, all the dogs’ charts indicated a high level of a stress response. Removal from the body of unbound copper and unbound iron was noted. It was further observed that all dogs showed marked manganese and phosphorus deficiency. This was a key observation which posed the question, were these deficiencies connected with the excess copper in the liver? Liver biopsies revealed elevated levels of iron and deficiency of manganese. Blood tests for iron status indicated iron saturation also. Copper and zinc were determined to be within normal range in the liver as well as the blood.

Research indicates that manganese can not be stored in the liver when an animal is choline deficient.[2] Previous research has indicated that choline and copper can form insoluble complexes in pet foods and become rancid very quickly which are then unavailable for proper digestion.[3]

Manganese deficiency has shown abnormalities in the functioning of a liver structure called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is principally responsible for assembling the carrier proteins and binding the minerals of iron, copper and manganese to their respective carrier proteins, to then be selectively excreted and transported into the bloodstream for use. As blood levels of bound copper lower due to inability to be bound and released from the liver, the intestinal signaling to prevent further iron absorption is greatly reduced. Thus the iron can continue to accumulate, increasing the stress response. Iron competes for absorption sites in the intestines with manganese, and lack of choline does not allow the liver to store adequate levels of manganese. In addition, copper is needed to oxidize manganese before it can be absorbed. All three factors contribute to a greater state of manganese deficiency.

As the liver continues to become more choline and manganese deficient, and the ER continues to deteriorate, it is proposed that copper can no longer be excreted from the liver and thus starts to accumulate in an area called the lysosomes.

Proposed Theory

Brown staining around faceWe propose that the elevated copper and iron may be due to initial choline and manganese deficiencies. Since all B-vitamins rely on each other, rarely will just one be deficient. It is proposed that not only choline may be deficient, but other B-vitamins as well. A “mineral domino effect” occurs and can continue, unless replacement of deficient vitamins and minerals is achieved through nutritional balancing. If they are not replenished, energy production can decline, thereby further worsening the nutritional imbalance which continues the stress response.

If the body does not contain a balanced of the minerals, then many of the body’s systems such as the liver may not function adequately. During periods of stress, additional supplementation of various vitamins and minerals helps keep the balance of all the other vitamins and minerals in the body. The Association of American Feed Control Officials, (AAFCO) may not be aware of the study indicating the rancidity of choline since the study is from 1953. Hairs to Health, Inc. proposes that this may be one reason many dogs suffer from “copper toxicity” or what we suggest is B-vitamin and manganese deficiency. Energy production requires optimal amounts of all the nutrients. It is observed that unbound minerals/heavy metals and reduction in free radical quelching systems such as MnSOD (Manganese super oxide dismutase) is accompanied by evidence of increased lipid peroxidation rates which lead to cancer.[4] It is known that without energy production, life ceases. These and other trends can be observed on hair charts. Nutritional balancing based on hair mineral analysis is a non-invasive form of testing to benefit the health of an animal.

[1] Copper Toxicosis/Chronic Active Hepatitis, W. Jean Dodds, DVM, Hemopet, Santa Monica, CA 90403

[2] The Adverse Effects of Manganese Deficiency on Reproduction and Health: A literature Review, by Tuula E. Tuormaa, Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Vol. 11, No. 2, 1996

[3] Two Complex Salts of Choline and Copper Chloride and their Activity as Catalysts of Fat Oxidation, Philip L. White, D. Mark Hegsted, J. Mayer, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1953, 75 (10), pp 2352–2354