Jaundice in Cats: Identifying the Underlying Causes

Jaundice is a common but concerning condition that affects both humans and animals, including cats. If you've noticed a yellowish tint in your cat's eyes, gums, or skin, it might be a sign of jaundice, which can be a serious indication of underlying health issues. While jaundice itself is not a disease, it is a symptom of other medical conditions that affect your cat’s liver, red blood cells, or bile ducts.

As a pet owner, understanding what causes jaundice in cats, how to identify the signs, and how to treat it can help you take swift action and provide your furry friend with the necessary care. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment of jaundice in cats so that you can better protect your pet from this health condition.

What Causes Jaundice in Cats?

There are several potential causes of jaundice in cats, and it is important to understand the different underlying conditions that can lead to this condition. Jaundice is generally categorized into three types based on the underlying cause:

1. Pre-hepatic Jaundice (Before the Liver)

Pre-hepatic jaundice occurs when there is excessive breakdown of red blood cells, leading to an overload of bilirubin in the bloodstream. This can overwhelm the liver’s ability to process the bilirubin, causing it to accumulate in the body.

Common Causes:

• Hemolytic Anemia: This is a condition where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, leading to an increased production of bilirubin. Hemolytic anemia can be caused by various factors such as:

  • Autoimmune diseases (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)
  • Infections (such as feline leukemia virus or feline infectious anemia)
  • Toxins (including certain medications or chemicals)
  • Inherited disorders

• Blood Parasites: Parasitic infections, such as Babesia (a type of protozoan parasite) or Mycoplasma, can lead to the destruction of red blood cells and cause pre-hepatic jaundice.

2. Hepatic Jaundice (Liver-Related)

Hepatic jaundice occurs when there is a problem with the liver itself, which is unable to process bilirubin effectively. Liver dysfunction can result from a variety of liver diseases that affect the cat’s ability to remove bilirubin from the bloodstream.

Common Causes:

• Hepatic Lipidosis: This is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver cells, leading to impaired liver function. It is most common in obese cats and can occur suddenly when a cat stops eating for a period.
• Chronic Hepatitis: Chronic inflammation of the liver, which may result from infections, toxins, or unknown causes, can lead to hepatic jaundice.
• Liver Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors in the liver can interfere with its function and lead to jaundice.
• Toxins: Certain toxins, including those from moldy food, medications (e.g., acetaminophen), and household chemicals, can damage the liver and cause jaundice.

3. Post-hepatic Jaundice (After the Liver)

Post-hepatic jaundice occurs when there is a blockage in the bile ducts or any part of the system that leads bile from the liver to the intestines. A blockage in this system prevents bilirubin from being excreted in the bile, causing it to build up in the bloodstream.

Common Causes:

• Gallstones: Stones can form in the gallbladder or bile ducts, leading to a blockage that causes bilirubin to accumulate.
• Bile Duct Obstruction: Tumors, scarring, or inflammation of the bile ducts can cause a blockage, preventing bile from being properly excreted.
• Pancreatitis:Inflammation of the pancreas can sometimes lead to jaundice. In severe cases of pancreatitis, the inflamed pancreas can compress the bile duct or cause swelling in the surrounding tissues that affects the normal flow of bile. This disruption in bile flow can result in the accumulation of bilirubin and jaundice.

Also Read: What to Feed A Cat with Pancreatitis

4.Hemolytic Anemia

• Immune - Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA):In IMHA, the cat's immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells. This destruction of red blood cells releases hemoglobin, which is then broken down into bilirubin. The excessive production of bilirubin due to the rapid destruction of red blood cells overwhelms the liver's ability to process it, leading to jaundice. There are often underlying factors that can trigger IMHA, such as infections, vaccinations, or certain medications.
• Infectious Agents Causing Hemolysis:Some parasites can cause hemolysis in cats. For example, Mycoplasma haemofelis, a blood - borne parasite, infects red blood cells and can cause them to rupture. Babesia species can also infect cats and cause hemolysis. When red blood cells are lysed by these infectious agents, the resulting increase in bilirubin production can lead to jaundice.

Symptoms of Jaundice in Cats

If you notice any of the following signs, your cat may have jaundice, and it is important to contact a veterinarian immediately:

• Yellowing of the Skin: The most noticeable sign of jaundice is yellowing of the skin, particularly in areas such as the ears, belly, and under the paws.
• Yellowing of the Eyes: The whites of the eyes (sclera) may appear yellow instead of their normal white color.
• Yellow Gums: If you look inside your cat’s mouth, you may notice yellowing of the gums.
• Loss of Appetite: Cats with jaundice may refuse food and become lethargic due to liver dysfunction.
• Vomiting and Diarrhea: Gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea, is common with jaundice.
• Abdominal Pain: Your cat may show signs of discomfort or pain when its abdomen is touched.
• Dark Urine: Jaundiced cats often have darker-than-usual urine, which may appear brown or tea-colored.
• Pale or Sticky Gums: In some cases, your cat’s gums may become pale or sticky due to blood circulation issues.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention right away.

How to Treat Jaundice in Cats?

When a cat develops jaundice, treatment is usually determined by the underlying cause of the jaundice. Jaundice is not a disease in itself, but a symptom, usually associated with problems with the liver or gallbladder. Here are some common treatments.

1. Medication

If your cat's jaundice is caused by liver disease, liver and gallbladder medications may be needed to treat the liver. If inflammation is present, anti-inflammatory medications will also be needed. 

2. Nutritional support

Cats suffering from jaundice may lose their appetite, so they need to regulate electrolyte balance and replenish energy through fluids. When the cat has an appetite, it can be fed some high-energy nutrients that replenish blood and liver to help the cat recover. 

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3. Forced feeding

In some cases, even if the cat does not want to eat, it is necessary to provide the necessary nutrients through force-feeding. If the cat vomits after feeding, anti-emetic medication can be used before attempting to feed small amounts of liquid food several times. 

4. Nasal feeding tube

If the cat is unable to eat through the mouth, consider installing a nasal feeding tube for small amounts of gavage. 

5. Treating the underlying cause

The most important thing is to identify the underlying cause of jaundice and provide targeted treatment. For example, if jaundice is caused by gallstones or bile duct obstruction, surgical intervention may be required. 

How to Prevent Jaundice in Cats?

I. Diet

• Balanced nutrition

Provide your cat with cat food that is nutritionally complete, ensuring that it contains sufficient nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. For example, quality cat food will contain animal protein sources such as chicken and fish, as well as various vitamins (e.g. vitamin A, B vitamins, etc.) and minerals (e.g. calcium, phosphorus, etc.).
Avoid overfeeding single foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies. For example, feeding cats only fish for a long period of time and neglecting other meats or nutrients may lead to nutritional imbalance.

• Controlling the amount of food

Determine the appropriate amount of food to be fed according to the cat's age, weight and activity level. Excessive obesity increases the risk of health problems such as liver disease in cats, which in turn may lead to jaundice. You can refer to the feeding guidelines on the cat food package and make adjustments according to your cat's actual condition. For example, adult indoor cats with less activity may require a smaller amount of food than outdoor active cats.

II. Disease Prevention

• Regular deworming

Regularly deworm your cat both internally and externally as recommended by your veterinarian. Parasitic infections may affect your cat's liver health or cause problems such as anaemia, which indirectly triggers jaundice. For example, liver fluke infection can impair liver function, while hookworm infection may lead to anaemia in cats, increasing red blood cell destruction and elevating bilirubin.

• Prevention of infectious diseases

Timely vaccination, such as the Cat III vaccine, can prevent common infectious diseases such as feline distemper and feline nasal branch. These infectious diseases may cause liver damage or other complications in cats that can lead to jaundice. For example, feline distemper virus infection may affect the normal functioning of liver cells.

• Avoiding toxin exposure

Store items in your home that are toxic to cats properly, such as certain plants (lilies are toxic to cats) and chemicals (cleaning agents, insecticides, etc.). Accidental ingestion or exposure of cats to these toxic substances may damage the liver or cause problems such as haemolysis, which triggers jaundice.

III. Daily care and health monitoring

• Regular physical examination

Take your cat to the veterinarian for a comprehensive physical examination regularly, at least once a year. The vet can detect liver function abnormalities or other potential diseases early through blood tests and abdominal palpation for timely intervention.

• Pay attention to abnormal symptoms

Pay attention to your cat's behaviour and physical condition, such as appetite, mental state, urine and faecal colour. If you find that your cat has lost appetite, is depressed, has dark urine or abnormal faecal colour, you should seek medical attention as these may be early signs of jaundice or other diseases.

FAQs

What are the triggers for jaundice?

Jaundice in cats is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the body, and common triggers include:

Liver disease: e.g. hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, etc. These diseases can affect the liver's ability to metabolise bilirubin normally. 

Blood parasite infections: such as Babesia, which can destroy red blood cells and lead to excessive bilirubin release. 

Poisoning: Certain toxins, such as acetaminophen, can damage liver cells and trigger jaundice. 

Bile duct obstruction: gallstones and tumours block the bile ducts, preventing bilirubin excretion. 

Pancreatitis: Severe pancreatitis can cause poor bile excretion, leading to jaundice. 

Can a cat recover from jaundice?

The possibility of curing feline jaundice exists if it is detected early and treated promptly. According to search results, the cure rate for feline jaundice that is detected and treated early can be as high as 70 per cent or more. Treatment usually includes fluids, the use of hepatoprotective medications, and nutritional support. However, if the condition is severe or untreated, it can lead to the death of the cat. 

What food to feed a cat with jaundice?

Conclusion

Jaundice in cats is a sign of a serious underlying condition, whether it’s related to the liver, red blood cells, or bile ducts. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding the potential causes of jaundice can help you take the right steps to ensure your cat gets the proper care and treatment. If you notice yellowing of your cat’s eyes, skin, or gums, it’s crucial to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

By diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of jaundice, many cats can recover and lead healthy lives. Always work closely with your veterinarian to ensure the best possible care for your feline friend.