Jaundice, Canine - contd.
There is no specific treatment for jaundice. The main goal is to identify the cause of the jaundice and to treat it as specifically as possible. If the jaundice is due to excessive hemolysis, the cause of the hemolysis dictates its treatment. Any potential toxins that can cause hemolysis should be identified and removed, and further exposure should be prevented. Antibiotics or anti-parasitic agents may be needed for infectious or parasitic causes of hemolysis. Immune system-suppressing drugs such as corticosteroids are used to treat immune-mediated hemolysis. Blood transfusions may be needed to treat anemia symptomatically until its cause is identified, or to allow time for other medical treatments to work.
When jaundice is caused by a primary or secondary liver disease, treatment is directed at the underlying disorder. Some liver diseases respond to specific treatments, while the majority can only be managed symptomatically and supportively. Treatment of liver disease in dogs may include fluid administration, antibiotics, antacids, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin K, drugs to suppress scar tissue formation or to influence bile flow, and vitamin E and fatty acid supplements. Some liver diseases resolve with time, but many, such as chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, do not resolve and may progress with time. Nevertheless, treatment is frequently helpful in managing patients during the active stages of the disease and in improving the quality of life between episodes.
Bile duct obstruction or leakage, or primary gallbladder diseases identified on ultrasound usually require surgery. One exception is bile duct obstruction secondary to pancreatitis, which may resolve with time and without surgical intervention.
