Q How does one interpret serum protein concentrations in dogs and cats?
A Alterations in serum protein concentrations are commonly observed in a large number of diseases in dogs and cats. The key
types of proteins present in the serum are albumin and globulins. Albumin is the smallest of these proteins, produced only
by the liver, and the concentration of albumin molecules in the blood is greater than the concentration of globulin molecules.
As a result, albumin accounts for about 80 percent of the oncotic pressure of the blood. This oncotic pressure prevents water
from diffusing from the blood into the tissues. Albumin is also an important carrier protein. Globulins are a heterogeneous
group of proteins that are large, but variable in size. Globulins include various types of antibody molecules, other proteins
active in the immune system (e.g., complement), clotting factors, many different enzymes and a variety of carrier proteins.
Globulins are typically classified as alpha, beta or gamma based on their electrophoretic mobility.
Both increased and decreased total protein concentrations are commonly detected abnormalities in dogs and cats. Decreases
or increases result from alterations in serum albumin and/or globulin concentrations. In plasma, increased concentration of
fibrinogen, a globulin, can occasionally result in increased protein concentration. Interpretation of altered protein concentrations
depends on determining which major protein constituents of the serum or plasma (i.e. albumin, globulin, and, in plasma, fibrinogen)
are abnormal. Decreased or increased albumin or globulin concentrations do not always result in detectable alterations in
the total protein concentration. Thus, albumin and globulin concentrations, as well as total protein concentrations, should
be assessed when interpreting alterations.
Causes of decreased or increased total protein, albumin, globulin and fibrinogen concentrations are summarized here.
Investigate the cause
- Hypoalbuminemia with hypoglobulinemia: Concurrent hypoalbuminemia and hypoglobulinemia can result from overhydration (excessive fluid therapy or excessive water
intake) or from proportional loss of both of these protein fractions. The latter occur in the following protein-losing disorders:
- Blood loss results in proportional loss of all blood constituents. Albumin and globulin are, therefore, lost in concentrations
equal to their concentrations in the blood.
- Protein-losing enteropathy results from various intestinal lesions including inflammatory infiltrates in the lamina propria
and submucosa and blockage of lymphatic drainage leading to dilation of lymphatics (lymphangiectasia). Regardless of the underlying
cause, both albumin and globulin leak from the intestinal wall into the intestinal lumen and are then digested or excreted.
In some types of protein-losing enteropathies, a concurrent immune response results in increased, rather than decreased, serum
globulin concentrations. This occurs in Basenji and Chinese Shar-pei dogs but also can occur in other breeds of dogs.
- Severe exudative skin disease.
- Severe burns.
- Effusive disease.
- Hypoalbuminemia with normal to increased globulin concentration: Decreased albumin concentrations that are not accompanied by decreased globulin concentrations can be caused by either decreased
production or increased loss of albumin. If globulin concentration is concurrently increased, decreased albumin concentration
may not result in decreased total protein concentration.
Decreased production of albumin can occur in the disorders highlighted here.
- Hepatic failure: The liver is the only site of albumin production. Because of the liver's reserve capacity, most types of liver damage do
not result in decreased albumin production. If more than 80 percent of the functional liver mass is lost, decreased albumin
production can occur.
- Gastrointestinal parasitism can cause hypoalbuminemia. If the parasites absorb significant amounts of nutrients, including
amino acids, the animal is deprived of the amino acids needed to produce albumin. If gastrointestinal parasites attach to
the gastric or intestinal wall and consume the host's blood, albumin and globulin are lost.
- Intestinal malabsorption. Decreased albumin production can occur if intestinal malabsorption results in deficient absorption
of amino acids.
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Inadequate digestion of dietary proteins can result from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Increased loss of albumin can occur in the following protein-losing disorders:
1) Glomerular disease. Because albumin molecules are smaller than globulin molecules, they leak more readily through damaged
glomerular membranes (the net negative charge of albumin molecules as compared to globulin molecules also plays a part in
this selective leakage). Severe glomerular disease can result in hypoalbuminemia with a normal to increased serum globulin
concentration. Urine protein concentrations and urine protein/creatinine ratios should both be increased with glomerular disease.
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