Retrospective evaluation of the administration of 25% human albumin to dogs with protein-losing enteropathy: 21 cases (2003-2013)

Objective - To describe the administration of 25% human serum albumin (HSA) to dogs diagnosed with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). The secondary objectives were to report any acute and delayed adverse events and the effect of corticosteroids on the development of these reactions. Design - Retrospective study (2003-2013). Setting - Private referral hospital. Animals - Twenty-one client owned dogs diagnosed with PLE and idiopathic IBD that received >= 1 transfusion of 25% HSA. Dogs were included in the study if they had panhypoproteinemia, serum albumin concentration < 15.0 g/L [< 1.5 g/dL] or extravascular fluid accumulation, idiopathic IBD confirmed on histopathology, and complete medical records. Interventions - None. Main Results - Two of the 21 patients (9.5%) developed signs consistent with an acute reaction; 1 of these dogs was euthanized due to the severity of the reaction. Two patients (9.5%) showed signs consistent with a delayed reaction; 1 of these dogs was euthanized 5 days after the reaction, though it is unclear whether the reaction and the euthanasia were related. Corticosteroid administration did not appear to affect the occurrence of adverse reactions. Conclusions - This retrospective study demonstrated that the administration of 25% HSA to dogs with moderate to severe hypoalbuminemia from PLE was associated with occasional acute and delayed adverse events, some of which were severe or fatal.