What Is Icterus?
Icterus, also called jaundice, is a yellow color in the gums, the whites of the eyes, the inside of the ear flaps and the skin. It happens when bilirubin, a yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down, builds up in the blood faster than the liver can process it and clear it into bile. Icterus is always a sign of an underlying problem in the blood, the liver or the bile ducts, and it should be checked by a vet promptly.
See a vet the same day
Yellow gums or eyes are never normal. Go immediately if your pet is also weak, breathing fast, vomiting, or is a cat that has stopped eating.
Three Main Groups of Causes
1. Red blood cells breaking down too fast (pre-hepatic)
- Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)
- Blood parasites such as babesiosis, cytauxzoonosis and feline infectious anemia
- Toxins such as onion, garlic or swallowed zinc (for example some coins)
- Neonatal isoerythrolysis in newborn kittens
2. Liver disease (hepatic)
- Fatty liver in cats that stop eating; see cat fatty liver disease
- Inflammation of the liver and bile ducts; see cholangiohepatitis
- Infections such as leptospirosis in dogs; see the leptospirosis vaccine
- Toxins, including xylitol and some medications and mushrooms
- Chronic hepatitis, copper buildup in certain breeds, and liver cancer
3. Blocked bile flow (post-hepatic)
- Pancreatitis squeezing the bile duct; see also feline pancreatitis
- Gallbladder mucocele, gallstones or tumors
How to Check at Home
Look in natural daylight at the gums, the whites of the eyes and the inside of the ear flaps. Compare with a photo from when your pet was healthy if you have one. Other clues include dark orange or brown urine, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, increased thirst and tiredness. Pale gums that also look yellow suggest red blood cells are being destroyed, which can become dangerous quickly.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your vet will run a complete blood count, a chemistry panel and a urine test to see whether the problem starts in the blood, the liver or the bile ducts. An abdominal ultrasound, infectious disease tests, bile acid testing, and sometimes a liver biopsy follow. Treatment targets the cause: immune-suppressing drugs and transfusions for IMHA, antibiotics for leptospirosis, feeding tubes for cats with fatty liver, or surgery for a blocked bile duct. Complex cases may be referred to a specialist; see specialist vs regular vet.
Protect yourself
Leptospirosis can spread to people through urine. If your dog is jaundiced and leptospirosis is possible, wear gloves when cleaning up and wash your hands well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaundice in dogs and cats the same as in people?
Yes, the yellow color comes from the same pigment, bilirubin, and the causes fall into the same three groups: blood, liver and bile ducts.
Can a pet recover from jaundice?
Many do once the cause is treated. Cats with fatty liver that get early, aggressive feeding support often recover fully. The outlook depends on the underlying disease.
Why is a cat that stops eating such a concern?
Cats that go without food for even a few days can develop fatty liver disease, which itself causes jaundice and can be fatal without treatment.
If your pet’s gums or eyes look yellow, get them seen today. Find a veterinary clinic near you for an exam.