Primary hyperparathyroidism in cats: seven cases (1984-1989)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 199; no. 12; p. 1767
• Main Authors: Kallet, A.J. (Madera Pet Hospital, Corte Madera, CA), Richter, K.P, Feldman, E.C, Brum, D.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.12.1991
• Subjects: Adenoma - complications; Adenoma - veterinary; Animals; Carcinoma - complications; Carcinoma - veterinary; CASE REPORTS; Cat Diseases - etiology; CATS; CHAT; Cystadenoma - complications; Cystadenoma - veterinary; ENDOCRINE DISEASES; ENFERMEDADES GLANDULAS ENDOCRINAS; Female; GATO; GLANDULA PARATIROIDE; HISTOLOGY; Hypercalcemia - etiology; Hypercalcemia - veterinary; Hyperparathyroidism - etiology; Hyperparathyroidism - veterinary; Male; MEDICAL TREATMENT; PARATHYROID GLAND; Parathyroid Neoplasms - complications; Parathyroid Neoplasms - veterinary; PARATHYROIDE; PATHOGENESE; PATHOGENESIS; PATOGENESIS; PROGNOSIS; Retrospective Studies; SINTOMAS; SYMPTOME; SYMPTOMS; TERAPIA; THERAPEUTIQUE; THERAPY; TROUBLE ENDOCRINIEN
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1991.199.12.1767
• ISSN: 0003-1488

The medical records of 7 hypercalcemic cats with primary hyperparathyroidism were evaluated. Mean age was 12.9 years, with ages ranging from 8 to 15 years; 5 were female; 5 were Siamese, and 2 were of mixed breed. The most common clinical signs detected by owners were anorexia and lethargy. A cervical mass was palpable in 4 cats. Serum calcium concentrations were 11.1 to 22.8 mg/dl, with a mean of 15.8 mg/dl calculated from each cat's highest preoperative value. The serum phosphorus concentration was low in 2 cats, within reference limits in 4, and slightly high in 1 cat. The BUN concentration was greater than 60 mg/dl in 2 cats, 31 to 35 mg/dl in 2 cats, and less than 30 mg/dl in 3 cats. Abnormalities were detected in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities from 2 or 3 cats. Parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured in 2 cats before and after surgery. The preoperative PTH concentration was within reference limits in 1 cat and was high in 1 cat. The PTH concentrations were lower after surgery in both cats tested. A solitary parathyroid adenoma was surgically removed from 5 cats, bilateral parathyroid cystadenomas were surgically resected in 1 cat, and a parathyroid carcinoma was diagnosed at necropsy in 1 cat. None of the cats had clinical problems with hypocalcemia after surgery, although 2 cats developed hypocalcemia without tetany, one of which was controlled with oral administration of dihydrotachysterol and the other with oral administration of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. All 5 of the cta that underwent removal of an adenoma were alive at least 240 days after surgery.