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== Total Protein, Albumin and Globulins ==
== Total Protein, Albumin and Globulins ==
Serum proteins vary widely in their size, structure and function. Abnormal levels of proteins are termed dysproteinaemias. Total protein and albumin concentrations are determined and the globulin concentration arrived at by subtraction. Total protein levels are affected by physiological as well as pathological factors. Total protein levels are low in neonates rising to adult levels by 6 months to 1 year of age. Serum total protein levels are approximately 5% less than those of plasma due to the loss of fibrinogen in the clotting process.
Serum proteins vary widely in their size, structure and function. Abnormal levels of proteins are termed dysproteinaemias. Total protein and albumin concentrations are determined and the globulin concentration arrived at by subtraction. Total protein levels are affected by physiological as well as pathological factors. Total protein levels are low in neonates rising to adult levels by 6 months to 1 year of age. Serum total protein levels are approximately 5% less than those of plasma due to the loss of fibrinogen in the clotting process.
=== Causes of Hyperproteinaemia in Small Animals ===
==== Hyperalbuminaemia ====
* Dehydration
==== Hyperglobulinaemia ====
* Inflammation
* Immune-mediated disease
* Neoplasia
=== Causes of hypoproteinaemia in Small Animals ===
==== Hypoalbuminaemia ====
* Hepatic insufficiency
* Protein-losing enteropathy
* Protein-losing nephropathy
* Haemorrhage
* Protein malnutrition/malabsorption/maldigestion
* Exudation (body cavity, skin)
* Compensatory for a hyperglobulinaemia
==== Hypoglobulinaemia ====
* Protein-losing enteropathy
* Haemorrhage
* Neonates
* Congenital immunodeficiency
=== Complementary tests in Small Animals ===
Serum protein electrophoresis, urine protein electrophoresis, radial immunodiffusion for canine IgG, IgA and IgM (suspected immunodeficiency and classification of myelomas).
=== Causes of hyperproteinaemia in Equine ===
==== Hyperalbuminaemia ====
* Dehydration
==== Hyperglobulinaemia ====
* Inflammation
* Immune response to infection
* Neoplasia for example lymphoma (rare)
* Cyathostomiasis, large strongylosis, mixed helminthiasis
=== Causes of hyproteinaemia in Equine ===
==== Hypoalbuminaemia ====
* Intestinal lymphoma
* Cyathostomiasis, large strongylosis, mixed helminthiasis
* Protein-losing enteropathy
* Advanced hepatic insufficiency – usually fibrosis (Ragwort poisoning)
* Idiopathic granulomatous enteritis
* Salmonellosis
* Clostridiosis
* Protein-losing nephropathy
* Compensatory for a hyperglobulinaemia
* NSAIDS
* Glomerulonephritis/pyelonephritis
==== Less common causes of hypoabuminaemia ====
* Starvation
* Chronic hepatitis
* Hepatic neoplasia
* Amyloidosis
* Chronic eosinophilic enteritis (rare)
==== Hypoglobulinaemia ====
* Inadequate transfer of colostrum (neonates)
* Severe combined immunodeficiency disease in Arabian foals
=== Complementary tests in Equine ===
Protein electrophoresis.
== References ==
Total Protein, Albumin and Globulins References: [[NationWide Laboratories]]
[[Category:Lizard_and_Snake_Glossary]]
[[Category:Lizard_and_Snake_Glossary]]