RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM TOTAL CALCIUM TO SERUM-ALBUMIN IN DOGS, CATS, HORSES AND CATTLE

A retrospective study was performed in order to assess the relationshi p between serum calcium and serum albumin concentrations in domestic a nimals. Results of 9041 canine, 1564 feline, 2917 equine, and 613 bovi ne serum samples from hospitalized patients were examined by regressio n analysis. Subpopulations of cases with concurrent elevations in crea tinine or that were less than six months of age were evaluated separat ely. Statistically significant linear relationships between calcium an d albumin concentrations were established for each species (p < 0.05). The coefficients of determination (r2) Were 0.169 for dogs, 0.294 for cats, 0.222 for horses, and 0.032 for cattle. The correlation coeffic ients (r) computed were: dogs = 0.411, cats = 0.543, horses = 0.471, c attle = 0.182. Neither increases in creatinine concentration nor juven ile age appreciably influenced the relationship between calcium and al bumin concentrations. Interspecies variation was marked, and a strong correlation between calcium and albumin concentrations was not establi shed in any species.