Is hypoalbuminemia not responsive to treatment considered a negative prognostic indicator?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not mentioned
• D. Only in cats

Answer: (A)

Persistent hypoalbuminemia in chronic small intestinal disease signals ongoing loss of protein and significant intestinal dysfunction despite therapy. Albumin helps maintain blood oncotic pressure, and when it remains low despite treatment, it indicates that mucosal damage or protein loss (often from protein-losing enteropathy or severe inflammatory/lymphatic processes) is continuing. This ongoing disease activity is associated with worse clinical outcomes, more complications, and shorter survival, making it a negative prognostic indicator. While cats can be affected, this concept also applies broadly to other species and chronic enteropathies, so it isn’t limited to cats.