Research Communications of the 27(th) ECVIM-CA Congress: Intercontinental, Saint Julian's, Malta, 14th to 16th September 2017

Forty-six dogs diagnosed with idiopathic CH and treated with Cys met the inclusion criteria. Cases were excluded if there was a lack of biochemical data, concurrent immunosuppressive therapy, failure to complete at least 2 weeks of Cys therapy, or evidence of biochemical improvement with penicillamine or antibiotic administration. Twenty-five different breeds were represented. Ages ranged from 0.7-14 years with a median of 8 years. Fifty-two percent were female spayed and 43% were male castrated. Treatment sideeffects included gastrointestinal signs ranging from mild inappetence to vomiting and diarrhea in 39% and gingival hyperplasia in 26%. Thirty-five dogs (76%) achieved remission based on ALT normalization. The median time to remission was 3 months. Three dogs (6.5%) reached partial remission (ALT values declined but remained between 1.1 and 2x the upper limit of normal). Eight cases (17%) did not achieve remission. Initial serum ALT activity, hepatic copper concentration (>1000 µg/g dry weight), and clinical score did not influence remission.