title: Elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein and hypercalcemia in two dogs with schistosomiasis.
abstract: Two adult dogs were evaluated for hypercalcemia. Diagnostic evaluation identified elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and presumptive humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. At necropsy, schistosomiasis was diagnosed. North American schistosomiasis is caused by Heterobilharzia americana. Clinical findings may include dermatitis, coughing, diarrhea, and anorexia. Clinicopathological findings may include hypercalcemia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and eosinophilia. Diagnosis by fecal examination is difficult. Praziquantel or fenbendazole treatment may be curative or palliative. These are the first reported cases of hypercalcemia with elevated PTHrP in animals without diagnosed malignancy. Elevation of PTHrP has not been previously reported in hypercalcemic humans or in animals with granulomatous inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fradkin
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Braniecki
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramiro-Ibanez
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Zoran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins; D014807:Vitamin D