Unable to handle her high energy, Maya’s family surrendered her to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, where SDF recruiters saw Maya’s bio and contacted the rescue for more details. Rescue staff were excited about Maya’s search dog potential and set up evaluation exercises to test Maya, which confirmed she was a candidate for our program.
After arriving at our campus, Maya’s routine medical screening revealed elevated liver values in her blood panel, indicating a possible abnormality, so we arranged for Maya to see an internist and undergo further testing, including a laparoscopic biopsy of her liver. Diagnostic results showed that Maya had copper-associated hepatopathy (CAH), a disease that causes copper to accumulate in the liver.
An essential mineral found in most commercial dog foods, in healthy dogs, copper is absorbed by the intestines and ushered through the liver and into the bile by specific proteins. In Maya’s case, a hereditary deficiency prevents her bile and proteins from doing this important job, resulting in a buildup of copper. Excess copper in the liver causes inflammation and scarring of tissue that, if left untreated, leads to chronic hepatitis, end-stage liver disease, and death.
Some breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, are more prone to this disease, but even dogs without a genetic predisposition can be vulnerable to CAH due to the varying amounts of copper found in commercial dog foods. Yearly wellness checks that include a basic blood panel can prevent the painful liver damage and life-threatening consequences of this condition by catching liver issues early on.
Fortunately, Maya’s disease was detected before serious damage occurred, and her condition can be successfully managed with medication and veterinary monitoring for a long, healthy life. Although Maya couldn’t continue in search and rescue, she was adopted by a loving dad who is dedicated to her care. We’re so grateful that Maya was diagnosed early and put on the path to wellness so she can enjoy the many happy years she has to look forward to in her new life!
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