Abstract
Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare, comprising 0.5% cases referred to one large academic institution. All clinical signs associated with primary hyperparathyroidism are related to the hypercalcemia secondary to the elevation in parathyroid hormone. Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare in cats, with few cases described to date. Since most hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue occurs in the normal location of the parathyroid glands, cervical ultrasound is economical and readily available, and so is commonly the first line of imaging modality. Chronic renal failure is commonly associated with hyperparathyroidism through parathyroid gland hyperplasia. Exploratory surgery with parathyroidectomy in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism serves as both a diagnostic test and definitive therapy. Preoperative treatment of hypercalcemia is contentious and there are no published standards. The greatest postoperative concern, reportedly occurring in 8–63% dogs, is hypocalcemia due to chronic suppression of the remaining parathyroid glands through negative feedback from the hypersecretory tumor.