Jaundice

The condition in which there is a build up of waste products in the body called bilirubin. Bilirubin is yellow in color, therefore an animal with jaundice will have yellow gums, skin (often seen on the inside flap of the ear), and a yellowish cast to the 'whites' of the eyes. It can occur if a large number of red blood cells are destroyed, the liver is not functioning normally, or the bile ducts are blocked. Yellow discoloration due to the accumulation of abnormal amounts of bilirubin. Jaundice is seen in non-haired parts of the body; white parts of the eyes, inside the mouth and ears and on the belly. Also called icterus.