Experience with Parathyroid Tumor/Hypercalcemia in Dogs?

[equinelerium]

I’ve got a 10 year old dog whose blood work this year showed very elevated calcium levels (15.6, for those of you who understand this stuff). That of course set off alarm bells with our vet and we started other tests. We just got the results back from a more advanced blood panel (parathyroid panel, I think the vet called it). The conclusion from that test is that my guy very likely has a tumor in one or more of his parathyroid glands which is likely cancerous.

Our next step is an ultrasound to determine surgical options/treatment options. I guess I’m looking for anybody with experience with this to give me clue what we might be up against-my google searches just turn up super technical articles that I really can’t make much sense of. We’re in the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area, and have been referred to the Hope Center for the ultrasound and internal medicine workup.

I’m also battling some serious guilt because his blood tests a year ago showed slightly elevated calcium levels. On the advice of our vet, we retested a week later and the levels had returned to normal. So we all (vet included) thought it was just a fluke. Now of course I’m kicking myself…

[keh]

I’m sorry you’re going through this. We had a cat with hypercalcemia & the vet really thought it was a tumor. Fortunately, it was idiopathic…meaning we spent a lot of $ & no cause was found. She was treated with monthly depo-medrol injections for about a year. Her levels returned to normal & she’s been shot free for about 5 years now. I hope for a similar outcome for your dog. Don’t beat yourself up over last year’s bloodwork. We can only see what they show us. Best wishes.

[VaGirl]

One of our dogs had this years ago. He had been battling a different kind of cancer (melanoma) and his calcium levels were high throughout the process so they tested more and found cancer in the parathyroid. We were told at the time that the tumor could be totally encapsulated, partially, or spread. We went ahead with the surgery and it was thankfully fully encapsulated - he healed fine, and we never looked back. He did have to stay in ICU for 48 hours after surgery, so it was not inexpensive, but worth it for us.

[equinelerium]

Thanks for the replies. VaGirl- it looks like we are following in your footsteps. Ultrasounds showed a growth on the parathyroid, but no masses anywhere else. We’re headed for surgery as well. I’m glad to hear the surgery went well for your guy. We’re feeling hopeful.

[idlemoon]

I had a dachsie with a one sided para thyroid tumor. He was 13 when he had his surgery. We too found it on routine blood work. Luckily his levels were high, but only mildly elevated, we caught it quick as I did full lab work on him every 6 months. Easy Peasey surgery with a boarded surgeon. Recovery was smooth. I would do it again.

[Bells]

How’d the surgery go? I recently found out I have hyperparathyroidism and am looking at surgery. Doesn’t sound too bad so I hope you have good news?