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HIGH QUALITY DNA
TESTING YOU CAN TRUST
OUR PANELS
The tests in our DNA health testing panels are selected based on the scientific evidence available for disorders in the breed. Our scientists stay up to date with the latest developments and discoveries in the field to ensure that our testing panels are as up-to-date as possible.
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TESTIMONIALS
approx. 2 weeks
Typical turnaround
1
Conditions screened
Simple cheek swab
At-home sampling
UK laboratory
Tested in-house
Copper ToxicosisCT
Copper Toxicosis is a metabolic disease caused by an inability to excrete copper from the body leading to an accumulation in the liver and potential liver damage and failure.
An autosomal recessive condition caused by a mutation in the COMMD1 (Bedlington Type) gene
How it's inherited
Recessive
What your result means
Clear (N/N): no copies; not expected to develop CT, nor pass it on.
Carrier (N/CT): one copy. Healthy, but can pass it on. Breeding two carriers risks affected puppies.
Affected (CT/CT): two copies; expected to develop CT. Discuss with your vet.
Copper ToxicosisCT
- Gene
- COMMD1 (Bedlington Terrier)
- Variant
- COMMD1 39.7kb deletion positioned at 65.3091 and 65.3489 Mb
- Inheritance
- autosomal recessive
- OMIA
- OMIA001988 9615
Molecular mechanism
Copper toxicosis is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism that causes excessive copper accumulation within the liver, leading to progressive liver damage. Affected dogs are often clinically normal when young despite increasing hepatic copper levels, with signs such as lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice and behavioural changes developing as liver disease progresses (Su et al., 1982; Washabau, 2013). Histological changes are initially absent despite copper accumulation, making early disease difficult to detect without genetic testing or liver biopsy (Washabau, 2013). Forman et al., (2005) identified a 39.7 kb deletion associated with copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers. The deletion is located on canine chromosome 10 (CFA10), spanning approximately 65.3091–65.3489 Mb and affecting intron 1 and intron 2 of the COMMD1 gene.
Copper Toxicosis is inherited in in an autosomal recessive pattern and the COMMD1 test is a well-established cause of copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers (Forman et al., 2005). Genetic testing identifies affected and carrier dogs and remains an important breeding tool. However, not all cases of copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers are explained by the COMMD1 deletion, so a normal result does not exclude all forms of the disease (Haywood et al., 2023).
References
Forman, OP., Boursnell, ME., Dunmore, BJ., Stendall, N., van den Sluis, B., Fretwell, N., Jones, C., Wijmenga, C., Rothuizen, J., van Oost, BA., Holmes, NG., Binns, MM., Jones, P. : Characterization of the COMMD1 (MURR1) mutation causing copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers.Anim Genet 36:497-501, 2005. Pubmed reference: 16293123. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2005.01360.x.
Haywood, S., Swinburne, J., Schofield, E., Constantino-Casas, F., Watson, P. : Copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers is associated with multiple independent genetic variants.Vet Rec 193:e2832, 2023. Pubmed reference: 37038639. DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2832.
Su, L.C., Ravenshad, S., Owen, C.A., McCall, J.T., Zollman, P.E., Hardy, R.M. : A comparison of copper-loading disease in Bedlington Terriers and Wilson\u0026#39;s disease in humansAm J Physiol 243:G226-30, 1982. Pubmed reference: 7114265. DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.1982.243.3.G226.
Washabau, R.J. : Chapter 61 – Liver.Canine and Feline Gastroenterology, R.J. Washabau \u0026amp; M.J. Day (Ed.), W.B. Saunders. :890-891, 2013.
