My Mom Says My Cat Has Jaundice?

While CanadaVet can't give specific veterinary advice, from time to time we will post a Q&A on our blog where we think the information is of general interest to readers.

Q. Hi, my mom says my cat has jaundice, because her eyes are yellowish. What do I need to do?

A. Jaundice in cats (and dogs) is a concern as it can be an indicator of some underlying serious disease.

Animals with jaundice generally present with a yellowish tinge to the skin, gums, and membranes around eyes. This yellowish tint is caused by elevated levels of a pigment called bilirubin in the blood.

There are a number of complaints which can cause of jaundice. Some serious diseases which cause jaundice include:

• Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia
• Feline Infectious Anemia
• Babesiosis
• liver disease
• pancreatitis
• Leptospirosis
• cancer

If you notice your pet's ears, mouth or the whites of her eyes have a yellowish tinge, please get your pet checked by a vet without delay.