Veterinarians can test for the ATP7B gene mutation to identify Labrador Retrievers at risk for copper toxicosis so that they can take steps to prevent development of copper-associated chronic hepatitis in their patients.
Genetic analysis identified a compound heterozygosity of ATP7B responsible for the primary copper toxicosis of Wilson disease without mutations in HFE.
This review of the copper-iron interaction in Wilson's disease was mainly based on ten patients (three females and seven males) studied in our institutes because the genetic tests of ATP7B for Wilson's disease of primary copper toxicosis and HFE for hemochromatosis, the biochemical parameters of copper and iron, and morphological studies on biopsied liver specimens were complete.