A cat that is experiencing jaundice is in the midst of battling an underlying illness in general terms, because jaundice in cats is not a disease but rather a sign of an associated illness. Jaundice in cats can be a result of a number of varying illnesses such as kidney damage, liver disease or nervous system disorders to name but a few. The cause of jaundice is related to a buildup of bilirubin in a cat's system - a sort of waste product that is the result of processed red blood cells. In normal circumstances the bilirubin is excreted naturally, but when the cat has an underlying illness the bilrubin remains in the cat's system and jaundice is the result.
The signs of jaundice in cats is normally related by a layperson with the common sign of a yellowish tint in the whites of a cat's eyes that may range in severity, but there are a number of other signs that may be overlooked. The cat's gums may also take on a yellow appearance when jaundice is present. Polydypsia, anorexia and abdominal pain are also symptomatic of jaundice along with lethargy and weight loss. Additionally, a cat that has jaundice may have a swollen stomach, may urinate much more frequently than normal, have black and tarry-looking stool and exhibit signs of respiratory distress that can be quite prominent. If your cat has jaundice it may wander aimlessly in an altered mental state and fail to recognize familiar activities, people or locations in severe instances.
Most treatment options for jaundice in cats are the direct result of a sound diagnosis to ferret out the underlying cause of the symptoms. In nearly every case of jaundice in cats the animal is hospitalized for at least some time, as the diagnosis process can be a lengthy process with a number of tests that require implementation in order to correctly establish the jaundice cause. Among these may be a blood cell count, ultrasound or possibly an exploratory exam. In nearly every instance of jaundice in cats the animal will receive intravenous fluids, a period of rest, a nutritional boost and some type of drug treatment to address the root cause.
While many causes of jaundice in cats can be cured with excellent results - some such as advanced cancer cannot. In every case of jaundice in cats it is imperative to seek veterinary intervention quickly to enable the best possible outcome.
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