YELLOW CATS

JAUNDICE IN CAT


Kindly observe the images below, and see what is common on both of these patients.

Look at the sclera of this patient

Check out the gum of this patient

Another patient exhibiting jaundice

See the contrast of the white coat and the color of the ears

Can you see the difference from a normal and healthy cat as you see below:

When suddenly our feline patient shows yellow discoloration of their original pink skin and mucus membranes.

The yellow discoloration of the tissues is called JAUNDICE. This indicates an excessive circulation of BILIRUBIN in the blood stream.  It is a medical emergency!

The symptoms that you can see aside from the discoloration:  

DIARRHEA

WEIGHT LOSS

INAPPETENCE.

VOMITING,

BLEEDING TENDENCIES.

DEHYDRATION,

ASCITES - 

fluid filled abdomen as shown on the image below:

 Orange to Dark yellow Urine 

WHAT CAN CAUSE THIS?

Some of the common causes of this condition is listed below:

Feline Infectious Peritonitis / FIP

- mutated coronaviral infection in cats.  Different from the COVID19 and no evidence of human transmission. News of new drugs are available in the USA but as my experience in Saudi Arabia, it is still fatal in cats.

HEPATIC LIPIDOSIS / Fatty Liver Disease

- Anorexic cats are prone to have this condition. Big cats that have lost weight significantly must be checked

CHOLANGOHEPATITIS

- Prolonged anorexia can cause this condition.

TOXIC HEPATOPATHY

- Common hepatotoxic materials at home are onions, detergents, insecticides, and pain-relievers.

Bilirubin increases in the body because of the following:

1.       Destruction of Red Blood Cells (PREHEPATIC-no liver involvement)-infectious diseases

Certain blood parasite infection in cats and some toxic materials can destroy RBC in the circulation.

2.       Inability of Liver cells to filter out Bilirubin in the blood circulation. (HEPATIC - Liver diseases).  

3.       Biliary tree impairment, Failed to release Bilirubin to the Intestinal tract (POST HEPATIC-OBSTRUCTION ) - primary reason: cancer/ sludges /gallstones/

Veterinarians will recommend performing testing to confirm the cause of the discoloration.

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT: 

SERUM CHEMISTRY PANEL: 

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING:

URINALYSIS

TREATMENT

EXPLORATORY SURGERY - Invasive procedure for sample collection - High risk especially when the animal reached the stage when they are very weak.

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

Feeding tube or syringe feeding. We got to increase the caloric requirements of our pets. Intravenous Fluid Support.  Hepatic protectants.  Silymarin has been known and safely used in pets. Check out this product which is palatable to cats called Wiggles.   Antibiotic therapy if warranted and shown in blood works. Anti-emetics. Special diets to address liver conditions.  Make sure no external parasites such as fleas.

PROGNOSIS

The ones that recover from this condition are the ones that have good response to the medication and most important indicator for me: Food intake.  When the pet starts to eat on its own, the better the prognosis.  Prolonged anorexia can start this fatal cascade of symptoms.  

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Source:  Blackwell's 5 Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline. 6th ed.