Albumin (Human and Canine)
Also known as: Albuminar, Albutein, Buminate, Plasbumin, Flexbumin
- **Hospitalization Required:** This medication must be administered in an inpatient, intensive care setting under strict veterinary supervision. - **Risks vs. Benefits:** While albumin can be life-saving by improving blood pressure and reducing fluid buildup, the use of human albumin in pets carries a significant risk of severe allergic reactions. - **Delayed Reactions:** Be aware that adverse reactions (like lethargy, joint pain, or swelling) can occur days to weeks after your pet goes home. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any abnormal signs. - **Cost:** Treatment can be expensive and requires intensive monitoring.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Refractory hypotension or severe hypoalbuminemia (using 25% Human Albumin)
- Marked hypoalbuminemia (using 10% Human Albumin)
- Hypovolemic shock or hypoalbuminemia (using Canine Albumin 5g lyophilized)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Immediate hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis, facial edema, vomiting, urticaria, hyperthermia, shock)
- Delayed hypersensitivity / Type III serum sickness (lethargy, lameness, peripheral edema, cutaneous lesions/vasculitis, renal failure, coagulopathies)
- Volume overload
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Perivascular inflammation at catheter sites
Cautions & contraindications
- History of hypersensitivity to albumin (human or canine)
- Repeat administration of xeno-albumin (human albumin in dogs) beyond 7 days
- Healthy animals with simple volume depletion (avoid xeno-albumin)
- Pre-existing conditions resulting in volume overload
- Severe anemia or extreme dehydration (unless concurrent RBCs or appropriate crystalloid fluids are administered first)
- **Extreme Caution Required:** Thoughtful consideration must be taken when deciding to administer human albumin to critically ill dogs due to the high risk of complications. * **Hypersensitivity:** Both immediate (anaphylactoid) and delayed (Type III/serum sickness) reactions can occur and have been fatal. * **Monitoring:** Frequent monitoring of vital signs, oncotic pressure, and albumin levels is mandatory. * **Infectious Agents:** While risk is low, transmission of infectious agents from pooled albumin products is theoretically possible.
Drug interactions
- Highly protein-bound drugs: Exogenous albumin may bind to these drugs, potentially affecting the amount of free (active) drug circulating, though this rarely appears to be clinically significant.
Frequently asked questions
What is Albumin (Human and Canine) used for in pets?
- **Hospitalization Required:** This medication must be administered in an inpatient, intensive care setting under strict veterinary supervision. - **Risks vs. Benefits:** While albumin can be life-saving by improving blood pressure and reducing fluid buildup, the use of human albumin in pets carries a significant risk of severe allergic reactions. - **Delayed Reactions:** Be aware that adverse reactions (like lethargy, joint pain, or swelling) can occur days to weeks after your pet goes home. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any abnormal signs. - **Cost:** Treatment can be expensive and requires intensive monitoring.
Is Albumin (Human and Canine) safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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