Hypercalcemia and high parathyroid hormone-related protein concentration associated with malignant melanoma in a dog

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jul 15;221(2):263-5, 240. doi: 10.2460/javma.2002.221.263.

Abstract

A 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel with an oral malignant melanoma was evaluated for progressive lethargy and anorexia. No metastases were identified during antemortem evaluation, but severe hypercalcemia was evident. Antemortem diagnostic testing failed to identify a cause for the hypercalcemia. No neoplasms other than the melanoma were identified on postmortem examination. Serum parathyroid hormone-related protein concentration was markedly high, and the melanoma had moderate to marked immunostaining for this protein. Paraneoplastic syndromes are rare in dogs with malignant melanoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / blood
  • Dog Diseases / etiology*
  • Dogs
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hypercalcemia / etiology
  • Hypercalcemia / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / complications
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Melanoma / veterinary*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / complications
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Mouth Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein
  • Proteins