Bedlington Terrier Health Group Report 2020
This has been a strange year with lockdowns, partial and total, and sadly the AHT had to close its doors due to lack of funds, this meant that we had lost the use of its services for DNA testing for COMMD1
Luckily June at the Animal DNA Diagnostic Centre at Cambridge can offer DNA testing for COMMD1 and Hyperteratosis.  The results are usually back in about two weeks and fees very competitive.
Details :
June Swinburne at the Animal DNA Diagnostic Centre at Cambridge                                                             
HYPERLINK "https://www.bing.com/local?lid=YN1009x261029421&id=YN1009x261029421&q=Animal+D+N+A+Diagnostics&name=Animal+D+N+A+Diagnostics&cp=52.22936248779297~0.15673699975013733&ppois=52.22936248779297_0.15673699975013733_Animal+D+N+A+Diagnostics"Unit1 6 William James House Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WX  tel 01223 395577
The KC require a Breed Health Plan, which has been prepared and is in discussion before being finalised, it will then be published on the BTHG website and on breed club websites if they wish.
I have received an update report from Susan Haywood, see below
Progress in Copper Toxicosis research 2019/20
Susan Haywood, BVSc,PhD, MRCVS
Since reporting our findings on the association of the metal transporter gene ABCA12 in non-COMMD1 copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers in 2016¹, Dr Penny Watson and Dr June Swinburne of Cambridge and Professor Stuart Carter (Liverpool) and myself have continued our research into copper toxicosis. We have now extended our remit to include dogs of other breeds which have a similar disease profile to the disease in Bedlingtons. (This separately funded).
The variant genes we are able to study include in addition to COMMD1, ABCA12, and a third genotype reported in Labrador retrievers²   an ATP7b variant (Wilsons disease).
Results: Accessioned Bedlington terriers*

Name (dog)DiagnosisGenotype
COMMD1Genotype
ABCA12Genotype
ATP7b

AmberCopper toxicosisWT/DelGA    ACGA

NoodlesCopper toxicosisWT/WTGA    CCGA

Woody GreenCopper toxicosisDel/ DelGA    CCGG

Izzy? Copper toxicosisDel/DelGA    ACGG

TedCopper toxicosisDel/DelGG    AAGA

IsaacCopper toxicosisWT/WTGG    AA                GA

*I have included only those samples submitted which included a liver biopsy or which were not diagnosed with copper toxicosis.
In this very limited series it can be seen that 3 affected dogs were diagnosed with COMMD1^del/del genotype, 2 CT affected dogs with ABCA12 variants and lacking COMMD1^del/del and finally one dog of considerable interest “Isaac” lacked both COMMD1 and ABCA12 variants and exhibited only the ATP7b Wilsons variant.
In this very limited series it can be seen that 3 affected dogs were diagnosed with COMMD1^del/del genotype, 2 CT affected dogs with ABCA12 variants and lacking COMMD1^del/del and finally one dog of considerable interest “Isaac” lacked both COMMD1 and ABCA12 variants and exhibited only the ATP7b Wilsons variant.
In conclusion it would appear that Bedlington copper toxicosis can be the outcome of one or more genetic variants that have all appeared in other breeds sampled and much more sampling of Bedlington terriers is advised if a true picture is to be obtained
References:
Susan Haywood et al.  Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology (2016) 35,83-89.
Hille Fieten et al, Disease models and Mechanisms (2016) 9,25-38
As you can see not many people are having their dogs included in the research.  In these difficult times, some vets may only do a liver biopsy if another procedure is being carried out, or if the dog shows symptoms of liver problems if you do need to have a dog biopsied please contact Penny Watson, see details below:-
Penny Watson MA VetMD CertVR DSAM DipECVIM FRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
Department of Veterinary Medicine
Madingley Road
Cambridge CB3 OES
Tel (+44+ - (0)1223 337621 Fax: (+44) - (0)1223 330848
Sheila Baldwin
Bedlington Terrier Health Group