Yellowing in Canines: A Veterinary Perspective by Liz McCalley, DVM, CCRT, examined on 03/28/2025 & published on 03/28/2023. Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVM.

Yellowing in Canines: A Veterinary Perspective by Liz McCalley, DVM, CCRT, examined on 03/28/2025 & published on 03/28/2023. Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVM.

A yellow hue on a pooch's skin or peepers could be something as cheerful as sunshine-y summer delight, but in the world of our four-legged pals, it might spell trouble. That's right; we're talking about jaundice - a condition that can be a stern warning signal for internal health issues demanding immediate veterinary attention. So buckle up, fellow dog-lovers and dives, as we delve into the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this yellow-associated dilemma, along with some precautions to help prevent it.

What, Exactly, is Jaundice?

Jaundice, also called icterus, is an evident yellowish discoloration of the skin, the whites of the eyes, and gums, originating from excessive amounts of bilirubin - a pigment with a yellowish tint - coursing through the bloodstream or the organs of the body.

Usually, bilirubin arises when the body breaks down old or damaged red blood cells. The bilirubin then moves through the bloodstream to the liver for processing, where it's converted into a form that can be excreted via the stool.

Jaundice isn't unfamiliar to humans; newborns usually develop the condition. For our two-legged mates, it's often harmless. But did you know that veterinarians frequently treat jaundice in dogs, cats, equines, and a bevy of other furry and scaly friends?

What Does Jaundice Look Like in Canines?

Spotting jaundice on dogs can be challenging compared to people due to their fur coats. In dogs with lighter skin, some owners may notice a yellowish discoloration on the inner ear flaps or stomach regions without fur. In most cases, jaundice in dogs will manifest on their gums; however, those with dark gums may make it difficult to discern. The most straightforward place to pinpoint jaundice in dogs is usually the sclera, or the whites of their eyes.

The Causes of Jaundice in Dogs

Generally, jaundice can be categorized into three primary groups: Pre-hepatic, Hepatic, and Post-hepatic.

Pre-hepatic jaundice may arise from severe anemia (low red blood cell levels due to cells bursting due to unknown reasons, allergic reactions, or other causes). When this happens, more bilirubin accumulates than the liver can process efficiently. Some common causes of hemolytic anemia in dogs include:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain tick-borne infections: Babesia and Ehrlichia
• Adverse reactions to specific medications, such as penicillins and trimethoprim sulfa
• Specific cancers, like hemangiosarcoma
• Venomous snakebites

Hepatic jaundice, the most widespread type of icterus, occurs when there's severe liver disease in dogs, preventing the liver from managing bilirubin or facilitating bile movement into the gallbladder. This can stem from various sources, including:

• Cancerous growths
• Bacterial or viral infections of the liver, referred to as hepatitis
• Diseases transmitted by leptospirosis
• Poisoning by ingested toxins, such as Sago Palm, blue-green algae, Xylitol, and others
• Certain medications: Tylenol and Phenobarbital

Post-hepatic jaundice in dogs can be linked to obstructions in the common bile duct or gallbladder. Possible reasons for post-hepatic jaundice include:

• Severe cases of pancreatitis
• Abdominal tumors
• Gallbladder cysts
• Gallstones
• Ruptured gallbladder

Other Symptoms to Look Out For Alongside Jaundice

A recent study in dogs revealed that the most prevalent symptoms that accompany jaundice include:

• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever

Besides these, keen-eyed pet parents should be aware of other signs, such as increased drinking and urination, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and a sudden, unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosing the Cause of Jaundice in Dogs

With so many potential causes, prompt veterinary attention becomes essential when you notice any symptoms of jaundice in your dog. Your vet will gather detailed background information to ensure no overlooked exposures to toxins, drugs, or contagious diseases potentially contributing to the issue.

Screening tests will typically include a complete blood cell count, blood chemistry panel, and urine analysis, serving as a solid starting point and guiding the next steps. In most scenarios, an abdominal ultrasound will be required to help pinpoint the diagnosis. If jaundice appears to be hepatic in nature, additional liver clotting tests, leptospirosis testing, and biopsies of the liver will likely be needed.

Treating and Managing Canine Jaundice

Treatment for jaundice in dogs depends on the underlying cause. In critical situations, stabilizing the dog while awaiting test results becomes crucial, involving IV fluids for hydration, antibiotics for possible infections, and addressing low blood sugar levels with sugar solutions.

Blood transfusions and steroids are often employed when anemia is present, while plasma transfusions may become necessary for dogs with impaired blood clotting. In instances of gallbladder obstruction or rupture, surgery may become a viable option.

The Prognosis for Dogs with Jaundice

The prognosis for dogs with jaundice varies, contingent on the cause. A recent study showed that roughly half of dogs with jaundice didn't survive their conditions. Dogs with pre-hepatic jaundice from hemolytic anemia were found to have a more dismal prognosis than those with hepatic or post-hepatic jaundice.

Preventing Jaundice in Dogs

Though there's no foolproof way to block all causes of jaundice in your dog, implementing certain precautions can help nip potential culprits in the bud. These include:

• Keeping your dog updated on relevant vaccinations, such as leptospirosis and adenovirus vaccines
• Never administering over-the-counter medications without consulting your vet first
• Be cautious about giving prescribed medications at higher-than-recommended doses
• Carrying out drug monitoring if your dog consumes medications over the long haul
• Preventing dogs from snacking on treats containing xylitol, a sweetener found in sugar-free gums and other products, which is toxic to dogs
• Keeping toxic plants like Sago Palm out of reach
• Performing regular blood-screening tests on your dog to catch problems before they escalate into jaundice.

1. Science reveals jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellow discoloration of skin, eyes, and gums due to excessive bilirubin in the bloodstream or body organs.
2. Bilirubin is a pigment with a yellowish tint that forms when the body breaks down old or damaged red blood cells.
3. In humans, jaundice is often harmless, but in dogs, it's a common issue veterinarians treat.
4. Spotting jaundice in dogs can be difficult due to their fur coats; owners may notice a yellowish discoloration on the inner ear flaps or stomach regions without fur.
5. Pre-hepatic jaundice arises from severe anemia, causing more bilirubin to accumulate than the liver can process efficiently.
6. Autoimmune diseases, tick-borne infections, adverse reactions to specific medications, certain cancers, and venomous snakebites can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs.
7. Hepatic jaundice occurs when there is severe liver disease preventing the liver from managing bilirubin or facilitating bile movement into the gallbladder.
8. Post-hepatic jaundice can be linked to obstructions in the common bile duct or gallbladder, such as severe cases of pancreatitis, abdominal tumors, gallbladder cysts, gallstones, or a ruptured gallbladder.
9. The most common symptoms that accompany jaundice in dogs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever.
10. Owners should be aware of other signs like increased drinking and urination, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and sudden, unexplained weight loss.
11. A complete blood cell count, blood chemistry panel, and urine analysis serve as the starting point for diagnosing the cause of jaundice in dogs.
12. An abdominal ultrasound is usually required to help pinpoint the diagnosis, with additional liver clotting tests, leptospirosis testing, and biopsies of the liver sometimes needed for hepatic jaundice.
13. Treatment for jaundice in dogs depends on the underlying cause, with critical situations requiring IV fluids, antibiotics, and blood sugar level support.
14. Blood transfusions, steroids, and plasma transfusions are sometimes employed when anemia is present, while surgery may become necessary for gallbladder obstruction or rupture.
15. Preventive measures for jaundice in dogs include keeping pets updated on relevant vaccinations, being cautious with over-the-counter medications, monitoring medications with prolonged use, avoiding Xylitol-containing treats, keeping toxic plants like Sago Palm out of reach, and performing regular blood-screening tests on dogs to catch problems before they escalate into jaundice.

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