title: Calcium metabolism in eight dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.
abstract: Hypoadrenocorticism is a well-described endocrinopathy in dogs that results from deficient production and secretion of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids. Although hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia are the most common electrolyte disturbances, hypercalcaemia also occurs in approximately 30 per cent of cases. The pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism is unknown. This case series reports ionised calcium, parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein and vitamin D metabolite concentrations that were measured in eight dogs with concurrent hypercalcaemia and hypoadrenocorticism. Ionised calcium was increased in five of seven dogs with hypercalcaemia associated with hypoadrenocorticism. Parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations were within their reference ranges in seven of eight dogs, six of seven cases and six of seven dogs, respectively. This case series highlights that hypercalcaemia associated with hypoadrenocorticism is rarely associated with increases in plasma parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related protein or serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Gow
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gow
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Herrtage
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mellanby
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; C097949:1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D002118:Calcium; D006854:Hydrocortisone