In the study, serum and blood levels of copper that is known to cause severe hepatic damage by hepatic accumulation because of primary hepatic insufficiency or secondary bile duct obstruction, in dogs with hepatitis in which bile duct obstruction is clinically detected was investigated (1, 2).

12 dogs with clinically detected obstructive jaundice and hepatic cirrhosis according to laboratory and ultrasonographic examinations formed the study group and 12 other dogs clinically healthy formed the control group. Changes in serum alanine aminotranspherase (ALT) alkalen phosphatase (ALP), gama glutamyl transpherase (GGT) and total bilirubin (T.Bilirubin) levels in blood samples taken for biochemical analyses were detected with an Expres Ciba Corning auto-analyser with use of Biobak® Commercial Kits by spectrophotometric technic. Changes occurring in serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels were detected with a Shimadzu AA-680 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In the same time, the obstructions in bile ducts and cirrhotic changes in liver were detected by ultrasonographic examinations with a Shimadzu SDU 350 A ultrasonograph. Statistical changes occurring in biochemical parameters were detected with the "t" test.

In the end of ultrasonographic examinations, it is detected that blood serum ALT and Total Bilirubin levels showed a statistical important increase (p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) and that the increase in serum ALP and GGT levels presents as p<0.01 was statistically important and it is established that serum copper level in dogs with obstructive jaundice showed statistical important increase (p<0.05) and serum Zn level showed statistical important (p<0.05) decrease.

In conclusion, we think that the application of new therapy methods necessary for diminishing the high concentration of blood serum copper which is known to make accelerate the hepatic damage could increase the chance of the therapy especially in early stages of disease (3).

References

1.  Fisher, G. L. (1997): Effects of disease o serum copper and zinc values in Beagle. Am J Vet Res. 38 (7): 935-940.

2.  Lai,Y. R. and Sugawara, N., (1997): Outputs of hepatic copper and cadmium stiumulated by tetrahiomolybdate (TTM) injection in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats pretreated with copper and cadmium. Toxicology, 120: 47-54.

3.  Brewer, G. J. et al.(1992): Use of zinc acetate to treat copper toxicosis in dogs. JAVMA, 201 (4): 564-568.