What is Jaundice?

Dogs with jaundice have a yellow discoloration of body tissues such as the eyes, gums, and skin.

The condition results from increased levels of bilirubin in the body, which is one of the by-products of heme, a red blood cell protein. Jaundice generally is not a disease; rather it is a symptom of a number of canine illnesses.

What are the causes?

The causes of jaundice are classified as pre-hepatic, hepatic, or post-hepatic in origin. Pre-hepatic jaundice occurs when red blood cell breakdown, or hemolysis, produces bilirubin faster than the liver can metabolize it.

Hepatic jaundice results from primary and secondary diseases within the liver that interfere with the liver cells’ ability to metabolize bilirubin or excrete it normally into the biliary tract.

Post-hepatic jaundice can result from obstruction to the flow of bilirubin-containing bile within the bile duct or from injury that causes leakage from the gallbladder or bile duct.