Hyperparathyroidism means too much parathyroid hormone (PTH) is being released, which disturbs calcium and phosphorus balance. In cats there are three forms with very different causes: primary, nutritional secondary and renal secondary. The NAVLE tends to test whether you can tell them apart from the calcium, phosphorus and PTH pattern and the signalment.
Key facts
Hyperparathyroidism at a glance- Species and system: cat, endocrine (calcium regulation).
- Primary (PHPT): autonomous PTH secretion, usually from a single parathyroid adenoma, in middle-aged to older cats.
- Nutritional secondary (NSHP): growing kitten fed a calcium-poor, phosphorus-rich diet such as all meat.
- Renal secondary (RSHP): develops with chronic kidney disease through phosphorus retention and low calcitriol; reported in up to 84% of cats with CKD.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
10 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Calcium and PTH physiology
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Don't confuse these hypercalcemia patterns
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.