A retrospective study of 94 hypercalcemic dogs (2002-2004)

A retrospective study of 94 hypercalcemic dogs was performed to find out most common causes that lead to hypercalcemia through investigating dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University from 2002 to 2004. During the study period, hypercalcemia was found in 94 dogs of 19 breeds, and they were evaluated as case group. Control group was made up of 94 dogs of 18 breeds without hypercalcemia admitted for the same study period. For general signalments, there were no significant differences between case and control group with the exception of age distribution. Shih-tzu (17.02%) and Yorkshire terrier (26.60%) was the most common breed in case and control group, respectively. The most common diseases associated with hypercalcemia were chronic renal failure (18.09%), acute renal failure (14.89%), and renal calculi (6.38%). Malignant neoplasia (lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, marriniary gland tumor, and multiple myeloma) and endocrinopathies (hyperad-renocorticism, hyperthyroidism, hypoadrenocorticism, and hypothyroidism) occupied 8.5% and 6.4%, respectively. This report is a first retrospective study of hypercalcemic dogs in South Korea.