Influence of intravenous 10% amino acids infusion on serum albumin concentration in hypoalbuminemic dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of parenteral amino acid application in hospitalized hypoalbuminemic dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records of client-owned hypoalbuminemic dogs (albumin ≤ 25 g/L) were analyzed. Dogs receiving amino acids for only 1-2 days, receiving transfusions or surgery, or <6 months of age were excluded. Dogs were grouped as those receiving intravenous amino acids (AA, 80 dogs) over 3 days and longer, and those without additional amino acid treatment (CON, 78 dogs). Duration of hospitalization, albumin, and total protein concentrations were compared between groups by Mann-Whitney U test. Course of albumin and total protein concentration was evaluated by Friedman test and Dunn's multiple comparison test. Significance was set to  ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Dogs in group AA received 10% amino acid solution intravenously over median 4 days (3-11 days). No significant differences regarding survival and adverse effects were observed between groups. Dogs of group AA had significantly longer duration of hospitalization (median 8 days; 3-33 days) compared to group CON dogs (median 6 days, 3-24 days;  < 0.001). Initial albumin concentration was lower in group AA compared to CON ( < 0.001). This difference was no longer present on day 2 ( = 0.134).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Intravenous application of 10% amino acid solution in hypoalbuminemic dogs can improve albumin concentration after 2 days, but does not influence outcome.