Search Results
47 results for “jaundice”
Neonatal Jaundice in Puppies (Neonatal Isoerythrolysis)
Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a blood-type mismatch in which a newborn ingests antibodies from the mother's first milk that destroy its own red cells, causing anemia and jaundice. Separating the puppy from the mother and bottle-feeding saves lives.
Jaundice in Dogs and Cats
Jaundice is yellow discoloration of tissues from high blood bilirubin due to blocked pigment metabolism; it is a sign of liver, bile-duct, or hemolytic disease rather than a disease itself. Treatment targets the underlying cause and supports the liver.
Why Human Cold Medicine Is Dangerous for Pets
Because cats and dogs metabolize drugs differently from people, they may not process ingredients like acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, and caffeine, and even small amounts can poison them, sometimes fatally. Most over-the-counter human cold medicines are unsafe for pets. For mild cases when pet-specific medicine is unavailable, gentle herbal options exist, but vet care is best for serious symptoms.
Can Obesity Cause Fatty Liver in Cats?
Overweight cats are at higher risk of fatty liver, because excess fat around the liver can move into it. Fat cats also more often have diabetes and pancreatitis, which can lead to fatty liver, and prolonged starvation is another common cause. Symptoms include anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, and jaundice, and severe cases can be fatal, so prevention matters.
What to Feed a Cat with Poor Liver Function (and What to Avoid)
When a cat's liver is struggling, feed low-burden, high-nutrition food: lean, low-copper proteins (chicken or duck breast), omega-3-rich fish (salmon, cod, sardine), and vitamin-packed vegetables (broccoli, carrot, spinach, pumpkin, blueberry) that aid cell repair. Veterinary liver-prescription diets and a milk-thistle or moringa liver supplement add targeted support. Avoid copper-heavy foods (organ meat, shellfish), high-fat and fried items, sugary or salty treats, and fatty snack packets. Feed small, frequent meals, keep water available, and transition foods gradually. Diet alone is supportive—pair it with a vet's diagnosis and treatment plan.
Does Abdominal Fluid in Cats Always Mean FIP?
Fluid in a cat's abdomen, or ascites, is a sign—not a diagnosis. It can stem from liver or heart disease, kidney failure, malnutrition, or peritonitis caused by infection, viruses, or injury, and only one of those causes is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Because the symptom alone cannot confirm FIP, diagnosis needs bloodwork, imaging such as X-ray or ultrasound, and viral testing. If your cat shows a swollen belly, lethargy, fever, or breathing trouble, see a veterinarian promptly to find the real cause.
How can you tell if a dog has ascites (fluid in the abdomen)?
Mostly hepatic ascites: the body wastes while the belly swells and drops like a ball; appetite may stay good. Watch for continued weight loss, jaundice, labored breathing - then rush to the vet.
Symptoms of Canine Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a serious dog disease caused by Leptospira bacteria - also called infectious jaundice or hemorrhagic jaundice - that spreads through skin, mucus membranes, and contaminated food or water, often peaking in summer and early autumn. Two forms stand out: one brings sudden fever, vomiting, dark bile-colored urine, yellow gums, and bleeding, while the other causes vomiting and bloody diarrhea with mouth ulcers and a death rate of 60-80 percent in acute cases. Diagnosis uses microscopy, culture, and blood tests, and treatment pairs antibiotics with liver and fluid support. Clean housing, rodent control, quarantine, and the two-type vaccine are the key preventives.
Why Your Dog’s Urine Is Dark
Normal dog urine is pale yellow. Dark urine is a sign that something is mixing into it, usually bile pigments, blood, or other material, and it often points to a real problem. The causes range from liver and kidney disease to infection and certain toxins, though a few are harmless.
Why Your Dog’s Body Temperature Drops
A drop in body temperature shows up often when a dog is seriously ill. Low temperature is more dangerous than fever because it weakens the body's ability to cope, and in puppies it can be swift and fatal. The common causes range from simple cold exposure to major organ and nerve disease.