Causes of Feline Jaundice: Understanding the Underlying
More often than not, pet owners only realize their cats have jaundice when their skin turns yellow. However, jaundice in cats can be signaled by certain symptoms. The most apparent sign is that cats may exhibit a lack of appetite, decreased food intake, poor mental state, and excessive sleepiness a few days before the jaundice sets in. Days later, the yellowing of the skin, eyes, and ears may become noticeable, and dry heaves might also occur.
Without timely treatment, jaundice in cats can lead to weight loss, listlessness, excessive sleepiness, and frequent vomiting. If a cat shows signs of厌食 or even complete refusal to eat for several days, it is highly likely that the cat's liver function is compromised, and jaundice is one of the symptoms of liver dysfunction.
II. Causes of Jaundice in Cats
Cats can develop jaundice due to anorexia, which can lead to fatty liver disease in cats. Jaundice is one of the symptoms of fatty liver in cats. Various factors that cause cats to lose their appetite can lead to fatty liver and subsequent jaundice. This is because when cats do not eat for a prolonged period, their bodies are forced to use stored fat for energy. If the liver cannot effectively utilize these fats, they can accumulate in the liver, eventually leading to fatty liver, specifically acute fatty liver. Cats with fatty liver may experience a decrease in appetite, loss of interest in food, and a lack of appetite for any food. This can eventually lead to the breakdown of red blood cells, which is reflected in the yellowing of the skin, known as jaundice.
III. Treatment for Jaundice in Cats
Encouraging cats to eat is the primary treatment for jaundice. However, cats with jaundice are often in a state of anorexia and complete refusal to eat, making it unrealistic to expect them to eat on their own. Therefore, we need to use other methods to promote passive eating in cats, which can then be converted into active eating. This can include the use of medication and nutritional therapy. Cats that do not eat are at risk of their condition worsening, and in severe cases, they may die due to dehydration. Therefore, the first priority in treating jaundice is to ensure the cat eats. Then, based on other symptoms, the use of bile acid liver protection tablets can be administered to treat the cat. This medication can help suppress fatty liver, detoxify, protect the liver, aid in bile secretion, and promote the synthesis of complement proteins, effectively treating and alleviating fatty liver symptoms.
After stabilizing the cat's condition, it is up to the owner to find ways to encourage the cat to eat on its own. By appealing to the cat's usual preferences, making the cat eat voluntarily is a crucial step in treating fatty liver, as cats cannot rely solely on intravenous nutrition indefinitely.
Dr. Oxygen Pet Tips: Some say that traditional Chinese medicine is effective for treating fatty liver in cats, but it is not recommended for owners to selfmedicate. It is best to consult a veterinarian before administering any medication.
