Understanding Cat Jaundice: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

In addition, other causes of jaundice include viral, bacterial, parasitic infections and metabolic disorders.

“This disease can be transmitted through direct contact through blood or through feces that contain the virus,” he said.

Heru also revealed that this disease could even be transmitted to humans depending on the type of virus strain.

“When attacked acutely cats are usually not helped,” he added.

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Symptoms of jaundice

Meanwhile, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) veterinarian Vetnizah Juniantito mentioned several symptoms that cats with jaundice will experience.

“The most common symptom is yellowness in the eyes and mouth,” he said separately.

Cats with jaundice can also experience diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, anorexia, and even lose weight.

Here are some of the symptoms experienced by cats with jaundice:

• Yellow gums, ears, mucous membranes, eyes, or urine
• Loss of appetite or anorexia
• Polydipsia (drinking too much water)
• Dull skin
• Weight loss
• Remove excess saliva
• Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
• Ascites or swollen abdomen

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Diagnosis and treatment

Veterinarian at Nusa Cendana University (Undana) Aji Winarso stated that an examination of a cat with jaundice would be carried out on its liver.

“Clinical diagnosis is by looking at general and mucosal changes (mucous membranes). Then it is confirmed by testing liver function because this yellow symptom is related to the liver,” he explained to Kompas.com, Sunday (21/5/2023).

The general changes seen are checking the color of the whites of the eyes and ears.

To find out the level of bilirubin pigment, the cat will undergo a blood test. This will help identify the cause of the disease.

Also read: 5 Tips to Prevent Cats from Peeing Carelessly

Treatment of jaundice will be adjusted to the cause.

For example, a sick cat due to damaged erythrocytes or red blood cells due to parasites can be treated with antiparasitic administration. While liver damage due to viral hepatitis is prevented by vaccines.

Cats with jaundice will be able to recover depending on their condition. However, because it is a serious illness, the cat must be treated immediately.

“If due to liver damage, the liver cannot return to normal. If there is not much damage, the animal can still survive,” he concluded.

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