What makes a cat likely to develop icterus?
Risk factors for icterus may include the presence of fleas or ticks, infection with feline leukemia virus or feline infectious peritonitis virus, residence in or travel to areas endemic for liver flukes or fungal diseases, prolonged anorexia, and ingestion of drugs or toxins. What are the clinical signs? A yellow color is noted in the skin, white part of the eyes, or on the ear flaps. What are the causes? The causes of icterus fall into three major categories: • Destruction of red blood cells. This can occur within blood vessels (intravascular) or in the spleen and liver (extravascular). The process of red cell destruction is known as hemolysis. • Liver disease. Any disease that causes destruction of liver cells or causes bile to become trapped in the liver can cause icterus. • Obstruction of the bile duct. The bile duct carries an important fluid for digestion, bile, from the gall bladder to the small intestine. Obstruction can occur within the gall bladder or anywhere along the bile
