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. 2009 May 15:290–305. doi: 10.1016/B0-72-168903-5/50017-3

TABLE 12-2.

Causes of Hypoalbuminemia in Dogs and Cats

  • Decreased Production

  • Chronic hepatic insufficiency*

  • Inadequate protein intake† , ‡

  • Maldigestion†

  • Malabsorption†

  • Hypergammaglobulinemia

  • Sequestration

  • Body cavity effusion

  • Vasculopathy

  • Increased Loss

  • Protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) because of glomerular disease*

  • Gastrointestinal: protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)*

  • Cutaneous

  • Whole blood loss

  • Dilution

*

Most common and important causes of serum albumin

†

Of very doubtful importance as a sole cause of serum albumin ≤2.0 g/dl. Probably more important as a contributing factor when there is another problem that results in hypoalbuminemia.

‡

Can be important in very young animals or animals fed diets that are extremely restricted in protein for prolonged periods.