Companion Animals

Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Dogs: Welfare and Surgical Treatment

Managing calcium excess from parathyroid tumours to protect kidney and neurological welfare.

Key Facts

Primary hyperparathyroidism causes hypercalcaemia from autonomous parathyroid hormone secretion
Keeshonds have a strong breed predisposition — genetic in this breed
Clinical signs include polyuria, weakness, vomiting, and in severe cases seizures
Parathyroidectomy is curative — prognosis is excellent after successful surgery

Welfare Considerations

Hyperparathyroidism causes insidious welfare compromise — chronic kidney damage from calcium deposition, muscle weakness, and gastrointestinal disturbance. Because signs develop gradually, welfare is often significantly compromised before diagnosis. Welfare-focused management involves parathyroid localisation with ultrasound, surgical excision, and careful post-operative calcium monitoring to prevent hypocalcaemia after surgery.

What You Can Do

Investigate unexplained hypercalcaemia promptly — determine the cause before treatment
Pursue surgical referral once parathyroid adenoma is confirmed — medical management is inadequate
Monitor calcium closely post-operatively — transient hypocalcaemia is common and requires management