Dogs are one more in the family circle, so we must love and take care of them because they too get sick, in fact some diseases can be deadly for them. Today we will talk about a particular disease, jaundice or the so-called high bilirubin in dogs, which is one of the most common diseases in these animals.
What is jaundice or high bilirubin in your dog?
Jaundice in dogs is characterized by a yellow coloring that appears on the mucous membranes and on the dog's skin. Other areas that may have this coloration are the gums, muzzle, genitals and other places, something that is due to the abnormally high level of bilirubin.
Bilirubin by the way is part of what bile is and it is very important for the digestive process, both in humans and in animals.
In general, high bilirubin is a direct or indirect consequence of another disease that is masked, that is, that it is a sign of other diseases, for example liver and red blood cell problems.
Classification
Jaundice in dogs can be classified into three types according to pathophysiology. The problem occurs when there is a increase in bilirubinsince the normal concentration of bilirubin in the blood should be less than 0,4 mg / dl.
Yellowish mucous membranes and orange or brown urine even signs of anemia may suggest a pre-liver jaundice that must be studied so that it does not become acute and lead to anorexia and depression.
It has been determined that there is a clear predisposition of this problem according to the breed of the dog, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Doverman and Bedlington Terrier are susceptible to this type of condition.
Canine chronic hepatitis too is related to canine leishmaniasis.
Other common causes are pancreatitis, a gallbladder tumor, cirrhosis, tumors in the biliary system, or liver necrosis. All these diseases do not stop worrying us since can cause death in the animalTherefore, if we observe the first symptoms of high bilirubin, we must go to the vet immediately to find out what the cause is.
What are the symptoms of high bilirubin?
If the dog has a yellowish color in its body this is the first sign, however there are other signs that cannot be ignored, such as if urine and stool are not the same colorYour dog feels disoriented and confused, losing weight, vomiting, general weakness, abdominal pain, diarrhea and loss of appetite. All this influences the mood of the dog, which can be seen to be listless and lethargic.
Keep in mind that some liver problems They are due to the ingestion of some hepatotoxic substances, or some treatment that contains hepatotoxic substances.
A disease associated with this bilirubin problem is hepatic encephalopathy that it is a neurological condition and is related to the inability of the liver to detoxify or eliminate toxins, which are produced from the intestine.
When dogs have this condition, then they present signs of brain disease and other neurological symptoms. It can also be associated with hypoglycemia, that is, low blood sugar levels and these are very common when there is acute liver failure.
Other signs of dogs that have a problem with bilirubin and therefore have a liver disorder, is the abdominal distension because the size of the liver increases (in this case this organic state is a sign that there is a serious problem).
Given that the liver is a very important organ, that is why any problem must be diagnosed in time so that the dog can return to its normal activities.
Diagnosis
To rule out that the dog has jaundice, you must go to a veterinary specialist.
After the vet will do a series of tests that will consist of a urinalysis which will show exactly the level of bilirubin you have, a blood test to rule out any other type of infection that may be developing and may cause anemia or if there is any liver damage, a liver study (this is done through an ultrasound or an x-ray).
If the situation forces you, they may order a biopsy of the liver tissue.
Regarding blood tests, this diagnosis is usually quite accurate. The test is known as transaminases, that is, a count of liver enzymes.
This test is used to determine if the liver is working properly, so if there is an elevation of some values, then it is an indication that the liver is diseased in the animal.
In cases where the liver does not function properly, it is manifested by the low levels of vitamin K or because the platelet count is quite low.
Also the liver detoxifies the body of ammonia in the digestive system. If this function does not work properly, then the ammonia level will increase considerably in your dog.
Ultrasound, which we have already mentioned, is also very useful in these cases since it offers a very accurate diagnosis of the liver, while allowing us to examine the size and structure of this organ and to know if it is a localized or diffuse disease.
Depending on the diagnosis and the results of the test, the veterinarian will choose the most appropriate treatment.
What are some treatments?
Among the best-known treatments for high bilirubin is eating a low-protein diet so that the liver does not overwork. If there is obstruction in the bile ducts or fear is present, then surgery will be required to do the removal.
If the anemia is severe, the vet will most likely recommend a blood transfusion., so that everything will depend on the state of your dog. In other cases, he will recommend hospitalization.
The best known treatments for high bilirubin are based on the use of copper chelators, rest a diet with a low concentration of copper and various support treatments.
In the case of surgery, recovery can take several weeks due to scar tissue around the suture. Some serious problems are even known to be completely reversed thanks to surgery.
If your dog has signs of high bilirubin You have to make an accurate diagnosis with a veterinarian, doing the proper laboratory tests to determine the different causes and continue to offer your pet a good quality of life.
We hope these tips help you.