Evaluation of the safety and effect of lyophilized canine-specific albumin to increase serum albumin concentration and colloid osmotic pressure in healthy dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of repeated administration of a lyophilized canine-specific albumin (CSA) product and to quantify its effect on serum albumin concentrations and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in healthy dogs.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University research facility.

Animals: Six healthy, adult, purpose-bred Beagles.

Interventions: Dogs received 1 g/kg of 16% CSA intravenously on days 1, 2, and 14 and were observed, with serial measurement of vital parameters during and for 2 hours after each infusion, to monitor for adverse events or evidence of a hypersensitivity reaction. Serum albumin concentration and COP were measured at predetermined time points before and after each infusion.

Results: One dog experienced a single episode of vomiting approximately 1 hour after completion of the second infusion. No other adverse reactions were observed during the 28-day study period. Serum albumin concentration was increased by a mean of 0.57 g/dL (5.7 g/L) (P = 0.003) when measured 2 hours after the first CSA infusion, and albumin concentration remained significantly higher than baseline at 24 hours after infusion, with a mean difference of 0.42 g/dL (4.2 g/dL) (P < 0.001). The second and third CSA infusions similarly increased serum albumin concentration at 2 hours (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively) and 24 hours (P = 0.012 and P = 0.007, respectively) after infusion. COP increased by a mean of 2.03 mm Hg at 2 hours after the first infusion (P = 0.013) and remained significantly higher than baseline at 24 hours after infusion, with a mean difference of 1.52 mm Hg (P = 0.002). The second CSA infusion similarly increased COP at 2 hours (P < 0.001) and 24 hours (P = 0.017) after infusion. The third CSA infusion increased COP at 2 hours after infusion (P = 0.004) but did not achieve statistical significance at 24 hours after infusion (P = 0.053).

Conclusions: A 1-g/kg dose of lyophilized CSA was effective at increasing serum albumin concentration and COP. Repeated infusions of CSA appear safe in healthy dogs.