Elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein and hypercalcemia in two dogswith schistosomiasis

Two adult dogs were evaluated for hypercalcemia. Diagnostic evaluation iden tified elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and presumptive humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. At necropsy, schistosomiasis was diag nosed. North American schistosomiasis is caused by Heterobilharzia americana. Clin ical findings may include dermatitis, coughing, diarrhea, and anorexia. Cli nicopathological findings may include hypercalcemia, hyperglobulinemia, hyp oalbuminemia, anemia, and eosinophilia. Diagnosis by fecal examination is d ifficult. Praziquantel or fenbendazole treatment may be curative or palliat ive. These are the first reported cases of hypercalcemia with elevated PTHrP in animals without diagnosed malignancy. Elevation of PTHrP has not been previ ously reported in hypercalcemic humans or in animals with granulomatous inf lammation.