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Section: Overview
Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disorder resulting from excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by one or more of the parathyroid glands located in the neck. The excessive amounts of PTH cause an elevated calcium level in the bloodstream, and this can have harmful effects on the body and can make dogs and cats ill. The most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism is a single benign tumor, called an adenoma, on one of the parathyroid glands. Malignant tumors of the parathyroid gland are much less common.Primary hyperparathyroidism is much more frequently diagnosed in dogs as compared to cats. Older dogs are more commonly affected (average age is 10 years). Males and females are equally affected. Keeshonds have a higher incidence than other breeds. A genetic marker associated with primary hyperparathyroidism has been found in the Keeshond.
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