Is Yellowing in Cats a Sign of Illness?

What is Feline Jaundice?

Feline jaundice is closely related to an excessive amount of bilirubin within a cat's body. Normally, the liver is capable of absorbing and excreting large quantities of bilirubin. However, when jaundice occurs in tissues or serum, it indicates a persistent overabundance of bilirubin, suggesting that the liver is no longer functioning properly to absorb and excrete it, which points to liver dysfunction.

Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation in animals and is also present in serum. If the level of bilirubin in a cat's serum exceeds the normal range by 5 to 10 times, it can lead to jaundice symptoms, causing the gums, sclera, and even the entire skin to turn yellow. While human jaundice might not be a serious concern and may resolve over time, cats are different; jaundice in cats is often a sign of an underlying disease.

When Do Cats Develop Jaundice?

Cat jaundice can be categorized into three types based on the cause: prehepatic jaundice, hepatic jaundice, and posthepatic jaundice.

Prehepatic Jaundice: This type of jaundice is primarily caused by an increase in blood cell breakdown, leading to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Conditions that can lead to prehepatic jaundice in cats include immunemediated hemolytic anemia, Heinz body hemolytic anemia, vitamin D deficiency, diabetes, and genetic disorders.

Hepatic Jaundice: Hepatic jaundice is associated with abnormalities in the liver's ability to uptake, conjugate, and excrete bilirubin. Causes of this condition in cats may include feline infectious peritonitis, certain bacterial or fungal infections, liver parasites, poisoning, and liver tumors.

Posthepatic Jaundice: This condition is mainly due to abnormal excretion of bilirubin and bile. Conditions such as bile duct obstruction, gallstones, and cholangitis can all lead to this type of jaundice in cats.

What to Do If Your Cat Has Jaundice?

It's important for cat owners to understand that symptoms like jaundice, vomiting, and diarrhea can only hint at potential issues with one or more adjacent organs in a cat. They do not provide a definitive diagnosis or pinpoint a single cause. Therefore, specific treatment should only be initiated after a proper diagnosis, which is why veterinary care is essential, and selfmedication should be avoided.

When you notice your cat displaying jaundice, it's wise to first make a preliminary assessment. You might suspect a severe liver issue, but it's crucial to remember that jaundice can be caused by various factors. As such, if your cat shows signs of jaundice, the first step should be to take it to a veterinary clinic for a thorough examination.

Generally, prehepatic and hepatic jaundice can be treated with medication, such as administering hepatoprotective drugs (like bile acid hepatoprotective tablets) and providing adequate nutritional support. However, for posthepatic jaundice, medication alone may not suffice, and surgical intervention may be necessary to clear the bile ducts.