Diagnosis is focused on finding the reason why the cat has an excessive amount of bilirubin, or "hyperbilirubinemia," that is causing the jaundice. The veterinarian will take a careful medical history about the animal, perform a complete medical examination, and conduct appropriate diagnostic tests. Routine laboratory testing will include a complete blood cell count, or CBC, a serum chemistry panel, and urinalysis.
Additional testing needed may include abdominal and chest x-rays, a blood coagulation profile, a test for blood parasites, a serum bile acids test, an infectious disease serology, an abdominal ultrasound, and an abdominal exploratory exam. Liver biopsies, taken by ultrasound or surgery, are commonly needed in cases of liver disease. The veterinarian will recommend the appropriate diagnostic procedures based on a cat's individual case and its response to therapy. Some complicated cases are referred to veterinary internal medicine specialists.
