Renal failure, hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia in a dog

A 4-year Basset bitch with a 9-week history of depression, lethargy, inappetence and weight loss was found to have azotaemia, hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Laparotomy and kidney biopsy revealed end-stage renal disease and the dog was killed. Hyperplasia of all 4 parathyroid glands was found at autopsy. The presumptive diagnosis was idiopathic renal failure with resulting tertiary hyperparathyroidism.