Hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with renal cell carcinoma in a dog

A 10 yr old castrated male Siberian husky was evaluated for polyuria, polydipsia, a retroperitoneal mass, and urolithiasis. A marked elevation in Ca was noted on initial blood work, and results of additional testing were consistent with hypercalcemia of malignancy, including an elevated parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrp) value. Based on clinical signs, blood work, diagnostic imaging, and cytology results, unilateral renal neoplasia was suspected. Following a complete right nephrectomy and cystotomy, histopathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Five days postoperatively, the hypercalcemia had nearly resolved and the PTHrp was zero. This is the first reported case of hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with RCC in a dog.