If you have never heard of jaundice in dogs, it is time to understand a little more about the problem that, although not a disease, is a clinical sign that may indicate that the dog's health is not going very well. But then, how to identify canine jaundice and what are the main causes associated with this symptom? To clarify the main doubts on the subject, the Paws of the House interviewed the director and veterinarian of Hospital Vet Popular, Luiz Moretti. Check out what he told us!

What is jaundice in dogs anyway?

As already mentioned, canine jaundice is not a disease in itself: in fact, it is a clinical sign that has as its characteristic the yellowish color in the eyes and skin of the animal. "This is due to the excessive presence of the substance bilirubin in the bloodstream," explains the professional. But what can cause it? According to Luiz, the animal can become jaundiced for several reasons, ranging from aliver dysfunction up to an evolution to cirrhosis or even leptospirosis, which is a disease caused by a bacterium that comes from the urine of contaminated rats. So when we have a dog with liver disease or who has contracted leptospirosis, it is common for jaundice in dogs to manifest itself.

"The first obvious clinical sign of jaundice is the intense yellow color of the eye and oral mucous membranes, as well as the yellowish skin, which draws even more attention in dogs with light hair," he reveals. Thus, the dog with yellow gums or yellow eyes are signs to watch out for, especially if your puppy has dark hair and you can't see his skin.

If you suspect canine jaundice, seek help from a veterinarian

In the case of a dog with yellow gums and also other parts of the body, the professional warns: "As soon as this difference in coloration is noticed in the animal's mucosa, going to the veterinarian is essential." According to him, the blood test is the first step towards an accurate diagnosis, but urine tests and imaging tests (such as ultrasound), can also be requested and are equally important for"In the blood count we can detect the level of the substance bilirubin in the body, as an analysis of liver or kidney function," he reveals.

What you need to know about treating jaundice in dogs

With the diagnosis of the underlying disease confirmed, the animal's veterinarian will indicate the best form of treatment for the condition. "After that, a treatment based on fluid therapy, liver protectors and the use of antibiotics is established. It is worth mentioning that like all diseases that are detected at the beginning, the success for cure is high, and it is no different in this case ", says Luiz.

As for prevention, the best way to do this is to prevent other diseases from affecting the animal, such as liver disease and leptospirosis, which are the main causes of jaundice in dogs. In the case of leptospirosis, the veterinarian advises: "It is a disease that is transmitted by a bacterium present in the urine of infected rats, and prevention is vaccination." The diseasesliver disease can be prevented mainly with good nutrition and regular clinical consultations with an animal health professional.