Running head: THYROIDECTOMY PRESERVING PARATHYROID IN DOGS

Simultaneous removal of bilateral thyroid tumors was performed while 22 preserving the parathyroid gland in six dogs. At least one external parathyroid gland was 23 identified in all dogs. In five cases, the external parathyroid gland and its blood supply were 24 preserved intact. In one dog, the vessels supplying the external parathyroid gland had been 25 invaded by the tumor and the gland was thus removed, and reimplanted into the sternohyoid 26 muscle. That dog required postoperative treatment with oral calcium gluconate and vitamin 27 D3. Local tumor recurrence was not observed in any of the cases. The mean survival time was 28 920 days. We found that the external parathyroid gland could be identified and preserved in 29 most dogs undergoing total thyroidectomy. 30 31