Copper toxicosis is a commonly encountered problem in sheep husbandry. This case report outlines a case of chronic copper toxicosis that was successfully treated at the Cornell University Farm Animal Hospital, as well as a review of copper homeostasis and the pathogenesis of various copper related diseases. Case History: A four month old Shropshire ram presented to the Cornell Farm Animal Hospital for evaluation of dark red urine and inappetance. He had been purchased from a large livestock sale two weeks prior to presentation, and had undergone extensive transport to reach the sale. Several other lambs were purchased from the same farm at this sale, including the patient’s twin sister. Since arriving on the farm, the ram had been reluctant to eat concentrate, but ate hay well. He had otherwise seemed healthy until the day of presentation, the morning of which, his urine was observed to be dark brown.
The week before presentation, the patient’s sister became inappetant and recumbent. The referring veterinarian saw that she was icteric, administered intravenous fluids and dexamethasone, and promptly referred her to Cornell University Farm Animal Hospital. She died during transport, and a necropsy was performed at the New York State Diagnostic Lab. Her necropsy was consistent with an acute episode of chronic copper toxicosis. Findings included a high level of copper in the Kuppfer cells, indicating a recent release of copper from hepatocytes, and occasional copper granules in hepatocytes. There was generalized icterus throughout the carcass, and tubular hemoglobinuria was also noted. These findings increased the index of suspicion that the ram was also suffering from an acute episode of chronic copper toxicosis.