# Jaundice in Dogs: Causes and Symptoms Yellow gums, eyes, or skin in a dog means bilirubin is building up in the body instead of being cleared normally. The most common jaundice in dogs causes fall into three groups: problems before the liver, problems inside the liver, and problems that block bile flow after the liver. Each group points to different diseases, and some are emergencies that need care the same day. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Jaundice (also called icterus) is yellow discoloration of the plasma and nonpigmented soft tissues, including skin, the whites of the eyes, mucous membranes, and urine [1]. - Causes are grouped as prehepatic (too much bilirubin made), hepatic (the liver cannot process it), or posthepatic (bile flow is blocked) [1]. - Yellow gums or eyes are never normal. Call your veterinarian today, and go to an emergency clinic if your dog is weak, collapsing, vomiting repeatedly, or has a swollen belly. - Bile leaking into the abdomen is a surgical emergency. A bilirubin level in abdominal fluid more than 10 times higher than in serum confirms it [1]. - Do not wait to "see if it clears up." Liver and blood disorders that cause jaundice can worsen quickly, and early treatment improves the odds. ## What Jaundice Looks Like and What Is Normal Jaundice is the abnormal buildup and distribution of bilirubin pigments into the bloodstream, which turns plasma and nonpigmented soft tissues yellow [1]. In practice, you may notice a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes, the gums, the skin of the belly or inner ears, or the urine. In dogs with pale gums from anemia, the yellow color can be easier to miss, so check the sclera (the white part of the eye) in good light. Normal gums are pink, and normal sclera is white. A yellow tint in either place is a sign, not a disease by itself. It tells your veterinarian that something is wrong with bilirubin production, processing, or drainage. Bilirubin comes from the normal breakdown of red blood cells. The liver takes it up, processes it, and sends it out in bile. Jaundice appears when any step in that chain fails, when red blood cells are destroyed too fast, or when bile cannot leave the liver and gallbladder [1]. ## What Causes Dog Jaundice? The Three Categories Veterinarians sort jaundice by where the problem starts: before the liver (prehepatic), in the liver (hepatic), or after the liver in the biliary tree (posthepatic) [1]. This sorting matters because the tests, treatments, and urgency differ a lot between groups. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Prehepatic: immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), toxin or venom exposure, blood parasites | Pale gums, dark or bloody urine, weakness, fast breathing, yellow tinge that can deepen fast | Emergency. Neurologic signs can develop in dogs with IMHA and high bilirubin [2] | | Hepatic: acute or chronic liver disease, hepatitis, lipid buildup in the liver, some infections | Poor appetite, vomiting, weight loss, drinking and urinating more, bleeding problems, neurologic signs | Same-day to emergency, depending on severity [3] | | Posthepatic: gallbladder disease, bile duct stones, biliary infection, tumors, bile leak | Vomiting, belly pain, fever, yellow gums, sometimes a swollen abdomen | Emergency. Bile peritonitis from a leak is a surgical emergency [1] | | Posthepatic: congenital duct malformations such as Caroli-like disease | Young dog, jaundice, weight loss, lethargy, abnormal liver enzymes and clotting | Urgent. These dogs need imaging and often surgery [4] | ### Prehepatic Causes: Too Much Bilirubin Being Made The classic prehepatic cause is immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, where the immune system destroys the dog's own red blood cells. In a study of 81 dogs with this condition and high bilirubin, 20 percent developed neurologic signs such as stupor, weakness in all four legs, and generalized seizures [2]. That is a striking number, and it is one reason a yellow dog with any change in behavior needs to be seen right away. Other prehepatic triggers include certain toxins and venoms. A single wasp sting has been reported to cause hemolytic anemia in a dog, likely through a venom component that damages red blood cell membranes [5]. This is uncommon, but it shows how fast hemolysis can start after an exposure. ### Hepatic Causes: The Liver Cannot Keep Up When liver cells are damaged, they cannot take up and process bilirubin, so it backs up in the blood. Signs of liver disease in dogs include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, seizures or other neurologic problems, fever, blood clotting problems, jaundice, fluid in the abdomen, excessive urination and thirst, changes in liver size, and weight loss [3]. Acute liver failure is a sudden loss of liver function, often with neurologic signs and clotting problems. It can happen after a sudden injury to a healthy liver or as an extra insult to a liver that was already diseased. Treatment aims to support the liver until it can regenerate, and any underlying cause needs to be found and treated [3]. Tell your veterinarian about every medication your dog receives and any possible access to poisons, because that history often changes the testing plan [3]. Chronic liver disease is progressive and can lead to liver failure. A 2025 study of 16 dogs with chronic liver disease found that fat accumulation in the liver tissue correlated with markers of inflammation, which suggests metabolic factors may play a role in canine liver disease much as they do in people [6]. This area is still being worked out in veterinary research. ### Posthepatic Causes: Blocked or Leaking Bile Posthepatic jaundice happens when bile cannot drain from the liver and gallbladder into the intestine, or when bile leaks into the abdomen. Jaundice is often the main sign in animals with gallbladder or extrahepatic biliary disease, and a swollen, painful abdomen can mean bile peritonitis [1]. Bacterial biliary tract infections are being recognized more often in dogs. They should be considered in any dog with vomiting, poor appetite, and jaundice, especially with belly pain or fever. Blood work often shows high liver enzymes, high bilirubin, and an inflammatory white blood cell pattern. Ultrasound is a key part of the workup because it helps find dogs who need urgent surgery for a ruptured biliary tract and allows guided bile sampling for culture [7]. Biliary protozoal infections are also increasingly recognized. In two dogs with mixed liver disease and high bilirubin, bile cytology found the parasite stage, and genetic testing from bile identified Hammondia species [8]. This is a newer finding, and testing methods are still developing. Tumors can block the bile duct too. An 11-year-old mixed-breed dog had intermittent jaundice for several months from a tumor at the bile duct opening, and surgery relieved the blockage. That dog was still doing well more than two years later [9]. Rare congenital duct problems can also cause obstruction, as in a 2-year-old small-breed dog with a Caroli-like malformation and bile duct stones [4]. If your dog is vomiting and you are trying to sort out the cause, our guide to [Dog Vomiting Bile Causes](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/dog-vomiting-bile-causes) can help you describe what you are seeing. Pancreatitis can also cause vomiting and belly pain, and it sometimes overlaps with liver and biliary disease. See [Symptoms Of Pancreatitis Disease In Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/symptoms-of-pancreatitis-disease-in-dogs) for more on that pattern. ## Red Flags That Make Jaundice an Emergency Some signs mean you should go to an emergency clinic now, not wait for a regular appointment. - Collapse, extreme weakness, or trouble standing - Repeated vomiting or vomiting blood - A belly that looks swollen or feels painful when touched - Pale gums along with yellow gums - Dark, brown, or bloody urine - Confusion, stupor, head pressing, or seizures - Trouble breathing - Bleeding from the nose, gums, or a wound that will not stop Bile leaking into the abdomen is a surgical emergency, and the fluid test that confirms it compares bilirubin in the abdominal fluid with bilirubin in the blood [1]. Neurologic signs in a dog with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia are another serious warning, and they were seen in 20 percent of dogs in one case series [2]. Acute liver failure with neurologic or clotting problems also needs immediate care [3]. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait Your main job at home is to keep your dog safe and get to the vet quickly. Do not give any human medication, including pain relievers, without asking your veterinarian first. Many common human drugs are toxic to the liver or kidneys in dogs. - Remove access to garbage, compost, medications, supplements, and any possible toxins. - Write down every medication, supplement, and treat your dog has had, plus the dates. - Note when the yellow color first appeared and whether it is getting worse. - Take photos of the gums and eyes in daylight so you can show the veterinarian. - Offer water, but do not force food if your dog is vomiting. - Keep your dog calm and warm, and limit activity. - Call ahead so the clinic can prepare for a possible emergency. If your dog has liver disease and you want to understand the broader pattern of signs, our article on [Liver Disease Symptoms In Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/liver-disease-symptoms-in-dogs) walks through what owners often notice first. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your veterinarian will start with a full physical exam, including the color of the gums and sclera, hydration, belly palpation, and a neurologic check. Be ready to answer questions about appetite, vomiting, urine color, water intake, possible toxin exposure, and all medications [3]. Testing usually includes: - Blood work to measure bilirubin, liver enzymes, and red and white blood cells - A clotting panel, because liver disease and biliary disease can affect clotting [3][4] - Urinalysis to check for bilirubin and to look for evidence of red blood cell destruction - Abdominal ultrasound, which is a key step for finding biliary infection, obstruction, or rupture [7] - Bile sampling for cytology and culture when biliary infection is suspected [7] - Imaging such as computed tomography for complex duct problems [4] - Infectious disease testing, including newer molecular tests for biliary parasites [8] Treatment depends on the category. Prehepatic cases may need immune suppression, blood support, or treatment for the underlying trigger. Hepatic cases often need intravenous fluids, diet changes, antibiotics, and liver-supporting medications, with a focus on preventing or treating neurologic complications [3]. Posthepatic cases may need surgery to relieve a blockage or repair a leak [1][9]. Doses for any medication are calculated by your veterinarian based on your dog's weight, liver function, and other health problems. Never use a dose from the internet or from a previous prescription for a different dog. ## Prevention and Monitoring You cannot prevent every cause of jaundice, but you can lower some risks and catch problems earlier. - Keep all human medications, supplements, and foods that are toxic to dogs out of reach. - Store garbage and compost in closed containers. - Use parasite prevention as directed by your veterinarian. - Keep up with routine wellness visits and blood work, especially for middle-aged and older dogs. - If your dog has chronic liver disease, follow the monitoring schedule your veterinarian sets. This often includes repeat blood work and ultrasound. - Check your dog's gums and eyes about once a week, especially if there is any liver or blood condition in the history. - Ask your veterinarian before starting any new supplement, since some can stress the liver. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is causing your dog's jaundice. Only a veterinarian who examines your dog and runs tests can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian, and the timing of care matters. Contact your veterinarian the same day if you notice yellow gums, eyes, or skin, even if your dog seems otherwise fine. Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog is weak, collapsing, vomiting repeatedly, breathing hard, having seizures, or has a swollen or painful belly. Bile peritonitis and acute liver failure are emergencies [1][3]. Schedule a routine visit if your dog has known liver disease and you want to review monitoring, diet, or medications. If your dog has had pancreatitis or liver problems before, our guide to [Pancreatitis In Dogs Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/pancreatitis-in-dogs-symptoms) can help you recognize a flare early. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does jaundice in dogs mean? Jaundice means bilirubin has built up in the blood and moved into the tissues, turning them yellow [1]. It is a sign of an underlying problem with red blood cells, the liver, or the biliary tract, not a disease on its own. It always needs veterinary testing. ### How do dogs get jaundice? Dogs get jaundice when red blood cells are destroyed too fast, when the liver cannot process bilirubin, or when bile cannot drain out of the liver and gallbladder [1]. Common triggers include immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, liver disease, biliary infection, bile duct blockage, and bile leaks. Sometimes the cause is a toxin, a tumor, or a rare congenital problem [9][4][5]. ### Is jaundice in dogs always an emergency? No, but it always needs same-day veterinary attention, and some cases are true emergencies. Bile leaking into the abdomen is a surgical emergency [1]. Acute liver failure with neurologic or clotting problems also needs immediate care [3]. If your dog is weak, collapsing, or vomiting repeatedly, go to an emergency clinic. ### Can jaundice in dogs go away on its own? It can improve when the underlying cause is treated, but it does not resolve on its own in any reliable way. The yellow color fades as bilirubin levels come down, which depends on treating the disease behind it. Waiting to see if it clears up risks letting a serious condition get worse. ### What should I do if my dog's gums look yellow? Call your veterinarian right away and describe what you see, including any vomiting, weakness, or changes in urine color. Take photos in daylight and bring a list of all medications and possible toxin exposures. If your dog is weak, collapsing, or has a swollen belly, go to an emergency clinic instead of waiting for a call back. ## Related Articles - [Liver Disease Symptoms In Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/liver-disease-symptoms-in-dogs) - [Symptoms Of Pancreatitis Disease In Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/symptoms-of-pancreatitis-disease-in-dogs) - [Pancreatitis In Dogs Symptoms](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/pancreatitis-in-dogs-symptoms) - [Symptoms Of Pancreatitis In Dogs Uk](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/symptoms-of-pancreatitis-in-dogs-uk) - [Dog Vomiting Bile Causes](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/dog-vomiting-bile-causes) - [Pancreatitis in Dogs: Symptoms and Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/pancreatitis-in-dogs-symptoms-and-care) - [Jaundice in Dogs: Survival Rate and Recovery Time](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/jaundice-dogs-survival-recovery) - [Jaundice in Dogs' Eyes: What Yellow Eyes Mean](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/jaundice-dogs-eyes-yellow) - [Enlarged Liver in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Life Expectancy](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/enlarged-liver-in-dogs) - [Leptospirosis in Dogs: Clinical Signs, Diagnosis, and One Health Implications](/knowledge/bacteria/pet-bacteria/leptospirosis-in-dogs-clinical-signs-diagnosis-one-health) ## References 1. [Jaundice in Small Animals - Digestive System](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/pathophysiology-of-hepatic-disease-in-small-animals/jaundice-in-small-animals). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Hyperbilirubinemia and neurologic signs in dogs with non-associative immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: 81 cases (2015-2024)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41742491/). Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2026. 3. [Disorders of the Liver and Gallbladder in Dogs - Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-of-the-liver-and-gallbladder-in-dogs). Merck Veterinary Manual. 4. [Imaging diagnosis of Caroli-like disease with concurrent extrahepatic biliary obstruction in a young small-breed dog: case report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42290769/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. 5. [Mastoparan as a Potential Cause of Hemolytic Anemia Due to a Suspected Single Wasp Sting in a Dog](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41582904/). Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001), 2026. 6. [Lipid Dysmetabolism in Canine Chronic Liver Disease: Relationship Between Clinical, Histological and Immunohistochemical Features](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40266905/). Veterinary sciences, 2025. 7. [Biliary Tract Infections in Dogs](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40360338/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2025. 8. [Canine cholecystitis in the presence of Hammondia spp. infection](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42736002/). Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports, 2026. 9. [Extrahepatic biliary obstruction due to ampullary carcinoma in a dog](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42309776/). The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center: Canine Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)