By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
The first clue is often the inside of a cat's ears. Normally pale pink, they take on a yellow tinge. Gums, the whites of the eyes and the skin on the belly may follow. That yellow colour is jaundice (also called icterus), and in cats it always means something significant is happening. It is not a disease on its own but a sign that bilirubin, a pigment from broken-down red blood cells, has built up faster than the body can clear it.
Key takeaways
- Jaundice is a sign of underlying disease, not a diagnosis. It always warrants a vet visit.
- Common causes in cats include hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), cholangitis, pancreatitis, bile duct blockage, FIP and red blood cell destruction.
- Cats that stop eating for even a few days can develop fatty liver, which is itself a major cause of jaundice.
- Early investigation improves the chance of treating the cause successfully.
- Related: fatty liver disease in cats, anaemia in cats.
How jaundice happens
Old red blood cells are broken down and their haemoglobin is converted into bilirubin. The liver processes bilirubin and sends it out in bile through the bile ducts into the intestine. Jaundice appears when this chain is disrupted at one of three points:
Before the liver (pre-hepatic). Red blood cells are destroyed faster than normal, producing more bilirubin than the liver can handle. Causes include immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, blood parasites such as Mycoplasma haemofelis, onion or garlic toxicity, and paracetamol poisoning.
In the liver (hepatic). The liver itself is unwell. Causes include hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis and cholangiohepatitis, toxins, FIP, and cancers such as lymphoma.
After the liver (post-hepatic). Bile cannot drain because the duct is blocked or damaged. Causes include pancreatitis, gallstones, tumours, and rarely a ruptured gallbladder.
In cats the liver, pancreas and intestine share a common drainage point, so inflammation in one often affects the others. This combination is sometimes called "triaditis".
Signs that come with jaundice
- Yellow ears, gums, eye whites or skin
- Not eating or eating very little
- Weight loss
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lethargy and hiding
- Drinking more
- Dark orange urine
- Pale or grey faeces (with bile blockage)
- Swollen belly in some cases (fluid or enlarged organs)
When it is an emergency
Any visible yellowing in a cat needs a vet appointment the same day or next day. Go immediately to an emergency clinic if your cat is jaundiced and also has pale or white gums, fast or laboured breathing, collapse, repeated vomiting, or has not eaten for more than two days. If you know your cat had access to paracetamol, lilies, onion or garlic, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 straight away.
How vets find the cause
Because jaundice has so many causes, your vet will work through them step by step:
- History and examination, including weight trend and belly palpation
- Blood tests: red cell count, liver enzymes, bilirubin, kidney values and pancreatic markers
- Blood smear to look for parasites or damaged red cells
- Urine tests
- Abdominal ultrasound to examine the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas
- Fine needle aspirates or biopsies of the liver in some cases
- Infectious disease testing, including FIV and FeLV, and assessment for FIP
Treatment overview
Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Your vet may recommend:
- Hospital care with fluids, anti-nausea medicine and pain relief
- Nutritional support, often through a feeding tube for cats with fatty liver, because eating is part of the cure
- Antibiotics for bacterial cholangitis
- Immune-modulating medicines for immune-mediated disease
- Blood transfusion for severe anaemia
- Surgery for bile duct blockages in selected cats
- Specific treatment for FIP or lymphoma where appropriate
Many jaundiced cats need several days in hospital, and recovery can take weeks.
Reducing the risk
- Never give human medicines, especially paracetamol, to cats.
- Keep lilies, onion and garlic out of the house.
- Watch appetite closely. If your cat skips meals for more than 24 to 48 hours, call your vet, particularly if your cat is overweight.
- Make diet changes gradually, and do not crash diet an overweight cat.
- Keep up with regular health checks, especially for senior cats.
FAQ
Can jaundice in cats go away on its own?
Jaundice resolves only when the underlying cause is treated. Waiting it out is risky because some causes, like fatty liver, worsen quickly without care.
Is jaundice in cats contagious?
Jaundice itself is not, but some causes are infectious, such as blood parasites spread by fleas. Your vet can advise on other pets in the home.
Can a jaundiced cat recover?
Many do, especially cats with fatty liver or cholangitis that get early treatment. The outlook depends on the cause.
What does it mean if my cat's urine is orange?
Dark orange urine can reflect high bilirubin. Combined with poor appetite or lethargy, it is a reason to see your vet.
Talk with a vet
If you have noticed yellow ears or gums in your cat, or your cat has stopped eating, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you understand how urgent it is and what to ask your clinic. Talk to a Dial A Vet vet.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Hepatic disease in small animals.
- Center SA. Feline hepatic lipidosis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2005.
- WSAVA Liver Standardization Group. Standards for clinical and histological diagnosis of canine and feline liver diseases, 2006.
- International Cat Care. Liver disease in cats.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.