Disorder - Hyperbilirubinaemia, unclassified

Organ Systems Involved
Gastrointestinal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Lipidosis, hepatic; Haemolytic anaemia, autoimmune

Presenting Signs

Hyperbilirubinaemia refers to an ongoing large increase in the production of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the bloodstream. Inherited abnormalities of bilirubin metabolism have not yet been identified in the cat. There are different causes of hyperbilirubinaemia. It can be caused by haemolysis; this is when red blood cells break down and release bilirubin. This process occurs in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Another cause of hyperbilirubinaemia is liver disease, for example in hepatic lipidosis, an accumulation of fat in the liver. It can also be caused by post-hepatic disease such as cholangitis, an inflammation of the bile ducts that impairs of the body’s ability to eliminate bile and therefore bilirubin.

The main symptom in cats with hyperbilirubinaemia is jaundice or icterus, which is the yellow staining of blood serum or tissues by an excessive amount of bilirubin. Jaundiced cats have mildly to very yellow mucous membranes; these are the moist areas such as gums and inner eyelids. Any lightly pigmented part of the cat’s skin e.g. on ears, noses, paw pads, also looks yellow.

Cats at Risk

Hyperbilirubinaemia is more common in older cats because it is often found with serious and advanced disease conditions.

Treatment

Surgical and medical: treatment is aimed at rectifying the underlying cause of the hyperbilirubinaemia. For example, some liver tumours are surgically removable whereas the treatment for cholangitis, depending on the cause, could include drugs such as antibiotics or corticosteroids.

PubMed References
Hyperbilirubinaemia, unclassified

Contributor
Louise Rabbitt