What is Jaundice?
Vets explain to cat owners that jaundice is the yellow discoloration of the cat’s skin, eyes, ear flaps, gums and foot pads. Since jaundice indicates a high level of bilirubin in the blood, it’s also a symptom of a serious illness.
Jaundice develops when too much yellow pigment from bilirubin accumulates in a cat’s blood and its body tissues. The longer the cat has jaundice, which is also called “icterus,” the more yellow its skin, eyes and body tissues will appear to be. Since the skin of most cat breeds is covered with fur, pet owners and vets can get the best view of jaundice by looking at its eyes, gums, foot pads, and ear flaps. It won’t be easy to detect jaundice in cats with dark skin or gums. Jaundice is usually a symptom of a more serious illness.
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Symptoms of Jaundice in Cats
Since jaundice is one of several symptoms of serious illness, observant cat owners do their pets a favor by noticing these signs, which can include:
- Loss of appetite or anorexia
- Weakness
- Yellowed skin, eyes or other body areas
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rounded abdomen
- Stomach discomfort
- Poor, rough coat
- Lack of grooming
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Prolonged bleeding
- Unusual behaviors
- Ascites or accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
- Breathing difficulty
- Bright orange urine
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Fever
Causes of Jaundice in Cats
Cats develop jaundice as the result of several problems inside their bodies. Depending on the cause of jaundice, the treatments will be different.
- Liver disease that damages liver cells
- Destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis)
- Bile duct obstruction. Bile can become too thick or the gallbladder or bile ducts may become inflamed
- Blood parasites
- Heartworm
- Enlargement of the liver
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Chemical exposure (leads to toxic hepatopathy)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cancer of the gall bladder
- Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver)
- Lymphoma (cancer)
- Cholangiohepatitis (inflamed bile ducts or liver)
- Hepatic amyloidosis (accumulated amyloid in the liver)
- Feline infectious peritonitis (a fatal illness)
Diagnosis of Jaundice in Cats
When pet owners explain to the vet that they believe their cat has jaundice, the vet will perform a physical exam, make note of their direct observations, and run additional tests. At the beginning, the vet examines the exposed skin areas of the cat’s body. If they see jaundice, they order additional diagnostic testing, which can include blood work.
This blood work consists of a complete blood count, or CBC. This measures several important factors in the cat’s blood, such as the number of platelets, white and red blood cells. Going beyond the CBC, labs run the packed cell volume or PCV. This tells the vet the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. If the cat is anemic, the vet investigates, determining whether the cat has hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). They will also look at the blood under a microscope to see if the cat has abnormal red blood cells, immature red blood, cells or an unexpected clump of cells.
If the vet finds that the cat has not been given heartworm medication and that it is an outdoors cat, they may consider an infestation of heartworms. They may look in a different direction if other symptoms, such as excessive thirst, drinking and urination, the vet will want to examine the cat’s liver and kidneys.
Other diagnostic tests may include urinalysis and a biochemical profile. These tests look for blood cell changes, anemia, bilirubin in the urine and urine concentration.
Depending on early findings, the vet may order X-rays or an ultrasound, a liver biopsy, a Coombs test (identifies whether red blood cells are being destroyed because of of the cat’s immune system) or serologic tests to see if the cat has contracted feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), toxoplasmosis, or feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Treatment of Jaundice in Cats
Vets don’t treat jaundice by itself. Once they find the cause of the jaundice in a cat, they treat that condition, which means the jaundice will eventually resolve. For instance, if the cat has a viral or bacterial infection, the vet prescribes antibiotics or steroids, which allows the cat’s immune system to lower its response to the bacteria or viral body. For cats diagnosed with FIV or FeLV, supportive care that allows their immune system to handle the infection will be given.
If the cat has ingested a poison, the vet gives activated charcoal to the cat to remove toxins from its body. The vet may choose to induce vomiting. For hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), the cat will provide a high-quality nutritional support for the cat, consisting of a high protein, high calorie diet.
If the vet has diagnosed liver cancer, the cat undergoes surgery and chemotherapy. An obstruction of the biliary tract means the cat will undergo surgery to clear the obstruction.
Cats with hepatitis are given corticosteroids that reduce liver inflammation. If the cat is experiencing pain, it will be given pain medications. The vet may opt to prescribe SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), which helps to give the liver support by boosting glutathione, which is an antioxidant. Other nutritional supplements may include Ursodeoxycholic acid. The cat may also receive vitamin K or Silybin, which supports liver function. This antioxidant helps the liver to rid itself of toxins and drugs. Anemic cats receive blood transfusions.
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Recovery of Jaundice in Cats
Depending on the cause of the cat’s jaundice, the cat’s owner may receive a good prognosis or be told that the cat’s condition will be terminal or fatal, as in the case of feline infectious peritonitis.
Once the vet determines the exact cause of the cat’s jaundice and develops an effective treatment plan, many cats can live for many more years. Cat owners need to consistently give their cats prescribed medications and feed only the foods that are recommended, which helps to improve the cat’s recovery. By feeding high-quality foods and administering medications as prescribed, causes of jaundice can be successfully resolved.
Jaundice Average Cost
From 492 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,800
Top
Jaundice Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Simese cat mixed as
Shadow
14 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Yelling Eyes
I just had my kitten fixed 2 week's ago yesterday in today i saw that her eyes are really yellow where they fixed her at will not call me back. I don't know what else to do she eats plays in all my Male cat babies her big time.
Sept. 12, 2018
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Tab
Alice
3 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Jaundice
My cat went missing the day we were suppose to move house. We went back every day for 2 weeks but now one month later she's been found. Emergency vets wasn't very informative. She can't walk just crawls and falls about. Looks like she has no vision she has no balance in her head. She ate a bit the first night but yesterday and today she seems not to want anything. Diarohea every time all over the place and her. Is there any cases of recovery from this?
Sept. 9, 2018
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American Short Hair
Bernie
12 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Increased Urination
My 12 year old and up until 3 weeks ago very healthy, happy, and active Bernie boy cat, came down with very bad jaundice almost overnight! I took him to the vet, and they told me he was basically going to die, unless I did over $1,800 worth of blood tests and X-rays. After I explained that was not financially possible, they quoted $300 with of medications. Marboflaxin 50mg the anti-biotic and Prednisolone 5 mg.
Bernie is one of those smart cats who knows when’s stuffs different. I’ve crushed them up and put them in his gravy for the wet food. He won’t eat it now. Then I disguised it in treats. That worked a couple times but now doesn’t.
The medications initially worked and the jaundice was going away... however, his vomiting has increased. His thirst and irritating have increased and are still bright yellow. But he rarely poops. Perhaps he has the bile issue of which jaundice is a symptom?
I’m financially recovering after a layoff. I paid for 10 years of pet insurance before I lost my job. It’s killing me that this happens now when I don’t have the money to pay & my baby will have to suffer the consequences. I see there are OTC liver cleansing treatments at places like Pet Smart. Curious if the vets on here have any thoughts as to home remedies or OTC. Anything helps and thank you!!
Sept. 9, 2018
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Cat
Sabastion
1 Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Yellow Gums
Won’T Eat
Won’T Drink
Can’T Walk
He won’t eat or drink can’t walk been forcing him to drink milk and water his gums are yellow and around is eyes if he does walk he falls alover the place what should I do about it
Aug. 25, 2018
1 Recommendations
Jaundice is a symptom and not a disease, you should visit your Veterinarian immediately for a blood test to determine the underlying cause so that the right treatment may be given as there are a few different causes. Your Veterinarian will be able to tell you if the cause is due to liver failure, haemolytic anaemia, gall bladder obstruction, poisoning or another cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 25, 2018
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Mix
Willow
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Jaundice
What are signs a cat is recovering after having jaundice. I have a 4 month kitty who ears and mouth and nose were jaundice went to the vet they told me. 10 percent chance of survival I got antibiotics and a few other meds. She went from being lethargic. To now she is eating going to the bathroom drinking water. And her color is slowly returning. Are these good signs?
Aug. 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
An improvement in skin colour and general behaviour is always encouraging; but remember that jaundice isn’t a disease but a symptom so it is important to be certain of a diagnosis and to know that it is being treated or managed effectively before being too comfortable with the progress. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 13, 2018
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Persia
Kitty
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Yellow Gums
My cat is diagnosed with jaundice and the doctor prescribed antibiotics, serratiopeptidase & vitamin c. But, after aday eating all the meds, my cat got worse and always vomit. Is it normal?
Indian
Chinnu
2 Days
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Yellow Eyes
Today I found out my cat having jaundice. The doctor tried to take some blood samples but he didn't have much blood for sample. So the doctor discontinued the process and didn't give any medication. I do know what to do.
Persian
Zamaira
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Low Epitite
My cat Sultan died because of jaundice symptons and my other cat is eating very less..She takes 6 to 10 kibble whenevr she feels hungry before my male died she was eating properly ..I am just worried that she should not have same symtoms or is she is in depression of my cat..she olso search him all over the corner..
Long haired
Patterson
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Jaundice
Trouble Breathing
Third Eyelid
Letharygy
My kitten is about 9 months old. He is extremely lethargic, won’t eat anything, has orange urine, his third eyelid is showing, he has jaundice, and I have recently noticed he is having a bit of trouble breathing . I took him to his regular vet and they did an FELV/FIV test, CBC test, abominocentesis, and they took an ultra sound. With all those tests done his vet still couldn’t figure out what he has my kitten is currently taking clavamox drops but he still isn’t getting any better. I can’t afford to get more tests done does anybody have any suggestions as to what my kitten may be suffering from? Or what my next step should be?
Jaundice Average Cost
From 492 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,800
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
