Parathyroid Hormone

• When the dog's body senses a decrease in the amount of calcium in the bloodstream, the parathyroid gland secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH takes calcium directly from the bones and kidneys as well as the mucosal lining of the intestines to elevate the blood-calcium levels.
  
  

Canine Primary Hyperparathyroidism

• Canine primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) occurs when the parathyroid gland produces more PTH than is needed by the dog's body. This results in the overproduction of calcium and can lead to a life threatening condition called hypercalcemia.
  
  

Cause

• PHPT is usually the result of a solitary benign tumor of the parathyroid gland; in a small number of cases, these tumors are malignant.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms begin gradually and include increased water consumption and urination. Later stages of the disease can cause loss of appetite and vomiting. Your dog may appear weak and listless. Often considerable damage to organs has occurred before symptoms appear.
  
  

Treatment

• Surgical removal of the affected gland is the treatment of choice and is usually curative. Most cases do not recur.