TL;DR: Jaundice is a high-priority medical emergency indicating serious underlying conditions like liver failure or rapid red blood cell destruction. If you notice a yellow tint to your cat’s skin, ears, or eyes, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.
What is jaundice (icterus) and why is my cat turning yellow?
A yellow tint to your cat's skin, ears, or the whites of their eyes is known as jaundice, or icterus. This discoloration is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood and tissues. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that forms when red blood cells break down; normally, the liver processes this pigment and excretes it, but if the liver is failing or red blood cells are being destroyed too quickly, the yellow color becomes visible.
Is yellowing of the skin or eyes a veterinary emergency for my cat?
- High Urgency: Yellowing of the skin is never normal and signals a High Urgency medical situation.
- Severe Underlying Conditions: This symptom usually indicates serious issues such as liver disease, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), toxins, or feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
- Risk of Organ Failure: These conditions can progress rapidly, making immediate intervention critical.
- Immediate Action Required: You should contact an emergency veterinarian immediately if you observe these signs.
How does sending a photo help the veterinary team triage my cat?
- Visual Confirmation: A clear, well-lit photo of your cat's ears or gums allows the triage professional to visually confirm the severity of the icterus.
- Case Prioritization: This information helps the veterinary team prioritize your cat's case before you even arrive at the clinic.
- Emergency Preparation: Photos allow the team to prepare the necessary diagnostic tools and resources for immediate stabilization of your pet.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In cats, jaundice, or yellow tint to the skin and ears, indicates hyperbilirubinemia which is always abnormal and requires investigation. Common causes include increased hemoprotein liberation (e.g., hemolytic anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis, body cavity hemorrhage), bile duct occlusion, ruptured biliary tract, intrahepatic cholestasis, impaired hepatobiliary bilirubin processing, and sepsis. Jaundiced cats presenting with regenerative anemia should be tested for hemolytic disorders, including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, Heinz body hemolysis, and hemotropic Mycoplasma. Some cats are persistently jaundiced secondary to inflammatory obstruction or destruction of small and medium-sized bile ducts (nonsuppurative CCHS with destructive cholangitis); these often develop symptomatic coagulopathies.
Chapter: Urology, Hepatology, Hematology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 435)