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When an animal guardian notices that their dog or cat’s gums, eyes, or skin are turning yellow this usually indicates a condition called jaundice, and is often an important indicator that an urgent visit to a veterinarian is needed. A yellow dog is typically due to an immune mediated disease of the blood, where a pet is destroying its own red blood cells, thus becoming very anemic; or a severe liver or pancreatic problem exists. Infections in dogs such as the recently emerging disease of leptospirosis, as well as various immune and infectious conditions of the liver may also result in a yellow patient. |
A yellow cat can also mean there is an immune mediated disease of the blood, but could also be a result of various infectious, viral and parasitic diseases, such as feline leukemia virus, FIV, FIP, toxoplasmosis, and haemobartonella. Many cats with diseases called cholangiohepatitis or triaditis (inflammation of the liver, intestines and pancreas) can also present this way. Cats with the fatty liver disease called hepatic lipidosis can also develop signs of jaundice. Most of these conditions need immediate workup and treatment from your veterinarian and can also help to differentiate the above conditions from abdominal cancer.
Depending upon the specific diagnosis or combination of diagnoses, an individualized treatment plan is typically undertaken that could involve antibiotics or anti-inflammatories like Prednisone. In addition, force feeding or feeding tubes may be needed in situations where pets refuse to eat for prolonged periods of time.
There are excellent supportive products that may also help in your pet’s recovery when battling these blood or liver/pancreatic disorders. Denosyl and Marin are two such products made by the Nutramax Company which I’ve often used for these conditions.
Given that our companion animals’ livers are under constant and chronic stress, it’s no wonder we’re seeing an increasing number of pets with chronic liver disorders. With appropriate dietary therapy, these combination supplements can often improve liver function significantly, sometimes avoiding the need for higher doses of prescription stronger drugs.
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4 Comments
My dog died of jaundice.The last day it suffered from severe blood vomiting.will the disease spread to the people in the house also.please answer me.
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Is Jaundice contagious? I need to know too.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
May 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am
Hi Jasmeen: The answer to your question depends upon the cause of the jaundice. For example certain infectious diseases of the liver in dogs like leptospirosis can indeed be contagious to people. Other cases like chronic active hepatitis of dogs or cats, as well as autoimmune blood disorders are not typically contagious to people. So while there are a few infectious causes potentially contagious to people, the vast majority of jaundice pets are not contagious.
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Leptospirosis can be very serious in dogs, if diagnosed appropriately, however with aggressive and early antibiotic treatment, many pets survive.
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my Pom Kasper has been diagnosed with chronic Hepatits about a year ago,his Vet put him on Denamarin 225 mg,then later since he had fluid in his stomach they put him on steroids and had to take him off it because it made his liver bleed. He has really got a lot better on the Denamarin but the question I truly would like to know about what is his long term outlook on this liver problem he just turn 4 years old this past week.I love his Vet if it had not been for Charles Steinman at Salisbury Animal Care here in Salisbury,N.C. he might not be alive now,he thought kasper was to fat till he picked him up and felt his stomach and then listen to it and he told me then he had a bad liver problem.They kept him overnight and the next morning done a ultra sound and blood work. I am on disability and his Vet works with me he took care of another Pom that had a bad heart. So can you tell me how long do dogs live with this..
Sincerely,
Kasper mom Elizabeth
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