Unless specific anti-copper treatment is instituted, most affected dogs die at three to seven years of age. Until now, dogs have been tested for CT by taking liver biopsy samples after one year of age. Therefore, CT-carrier continue to be bred, creating extreme difficulties for reponsible Bedlington breeders and owners who wish to halt the perpetuation of the disease. Renal Dysplasia is the failure of normal development of the kidney. Gradually increasing symptoms include excessive thirst and volume of urine, weight loss, lack of vigor, intermittent loss of appetite and eventual kidney failure often beginning at less than one year of age.
Veterinary literature shows that the hereditary disease occurs in thirty-one breeds.