Code green

Researchers from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) recently led a study documenting the first confirmed cases of hereditary biliverdinuria in non-human mammals. This rare metabolic disorder was identified in two adult mixed-breed dogs with persistently green urine—a hallmark of biliverdinuria.

Green urine is typically temporary and caused by certain things like medications or infections. However, in very rare cases, the green urine is not temporary but happens persistently because of an inherited genetic condition where green pigment, biliverdin, accumulates in the body. Until now, this long-term type of green urine, hereditary biliverdinuria, had only been seen in a few humans. Read the full story here.