Icterus & Jaundice

Jaundice Described

• Jaundice, clinically called icterus, is the term for yellowing in the eyes and skin. When red blood cells break down, bilirubin is left behind. Normally, the liver processes the bilirubin and it is passed through the body as waste. When the liver cannot process bilirubin, and blood contains too much of the chemical, the skin and whites of the eyes (called sclera) can turn a yellowish color. Jaundice is the symptom, not an illness. Oftentimes jaundice acts as a warning sign for serious illnesses such as liver disease, feline leukemia or cancer.

Causes

• MedicineNet.com lists three main reasons why bilirubin might not get processed through the liver: the body is producing too much bilirubin for the liver to remove; the liver is compromised and cannot remove the bilirubin; or a block in the bile duct reduces the flow of bilirubin from the liver. Hemolytic anemia can cause the body to produce too much bilirubin, while cancerous growths or gallstones can block bile ducts.

Identifying Jaundice in Pets

• In dogs and cats, jaundice is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes, the skin at the base of the ears and the gums (and the belly, for dogs). Orange urine and black, tarry fecal matter can also indicate jaundice. As jaundice is a symptom of a greater problem, the skin discoloration will usually be accompanied by a myriad of other symptoms, such as lethargy, diminishing appetite, breathing difficulty or weight loss.

Treatment

• Because jaundice is a symptom, it must be managed by treating the underlying problem that causes the breakdown in the body̵7;s attempt to process bilirubin. In pets, jaundice always indicates a serious problem and a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Until the vet can diagnose the disorder which is causing the jaundice, she may ask you to not introduce anything new to the pet̵7;s routine and ensure that the animal gets plenty of rest and relaxation.

Illnesses that Cause Jaundice

• Vets will perform a variety of tests to determine the underlying cause of the jaundice. Pets.ca says the most common are a urinalysis and a complete blood cell count (CBC). X-rays and ultrasounds of the abdomen can help look for masses or stones in the gall bladder. If a biopsy of the liver is performed, the ultrasound will help the veterinarian guide the biopsy needle.

  In dogs, the leading cause of prehepatic jaundice is anemia. Garlic, zinc pennies and other toxins can also hinder the animal's ability to process bilirubin, as can heartworms (a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes) and lupus (an autoimmune disease that causes the animal̵7;s body to attack its own organs). Leptospirosis (which is a bacteria-caused disease with flu-like symptoms that, according to the Center for Disease Control) can infect humans and animals, though cross species infection is uncommon.

  In cats, feline leukemia can cause jaundice, as can toxoplasmosis (caused by a single cell parasite, which most frequently infects cats through ingestion of infected meat). The bottom line is with so many illnesses that present jaundice, and the majority of them being life-threatening, the only solution is to get the animal medical treatment immediately.