Primary hyperparathyroidism causes hypercalcemia and bone resorption in dogs. Surgical treatment is curative and prevents the progressive welfare harms of uncontrolled calcium elevation.
Primary hyperparathyroidism causes chronic, progressive welfare harm through hypercalcemia effects on multiple organ systems. The polyuria and polydipsia are inconvenient welfare manifestations; more serious are the muscle weakness and fatigue that limit normal activity, nephrolithiasis causing urinary pain, and the increased fracture risk from bone demineralization. Many dogs appear outwardly well-functioning while experiencing significant subclinical welfare effects of elevated calcium.
Post-surgical hypocalcemia is the primary acute welfare risk after parathyroidectomy. As the removed adenoma had suppressed normal parathyroid function, the remaining tissue may take days to weeks to resume adequate PTH production. Intensive calcium monitoring and oral calcium supplementation prevent the tetany and muscle weakness of acute hypocalcemia during this recovery period.