What do humans and Bedlington Terriers have in common?
Answer: They can both suffer from excess copper – a genetic (and potentially fatal) condition called Wilsonβs disease.
We get copper from foods like chocolate, nuts, shellfish and mushrooms.
A human (or dog) with Wilsonβs disease cannot dispose of any excess, and over time it builds up causing liver failure.
The picture by Dr Fred shows the copper building up around an iris of a 32 year old.
Various drugs can solve the copper issue, but often cause pretty grim side effects.
