Changes

Small quantities of conjugated bilirubin are found in the urine of normal dogs because it has a low renal threshold.

Small quantities of conjugated bilirubin are found in the urine of normal dogs because it has a low renal threshold.

'''Jaundice''' refers to

The technical name for '''Jaundice''' is '''[[Icterus]]''', which refers to the staining of tissues by bilirubin pigment or bilirubin complexes, a phenomenon that is clinically evident on physical examination of the sclera and mucous membranes. It can also been seen on a separated blood sample - the serum will appear yellow/orange in colour.

 

'''[[Icterus]]''' refers to the staining of tissues by bilirubin pigment or bilirubin complexes, a phenomenon that is clinically evident on physical examination of the sclera and mucous membranes.

==Hyperbilirubinaemia==

==Hyperbilirubinaemia==

Bilirubin increases when the production of bilirubin exceeds the ability of the liver to recover unconjugated bilirubin from the bloodstream and process it, or when clearance of the conjugated form is altered by impaired hepatocyte processes or obstruction to the discharge of bilirubin into the intestines. Clinically, this means that hyperbilirubinaemia can be cased by heamolysis or choleostasis - the next step diagnostically is to establish if the inciting cause is prehepatic, hepatic or posthepatic.

Bilirubin increases when the production of bilirubin exceeds the ability of the liver to recover unconjugated bilirubin from the bloodstream and process it, or when clearance of the conjugated form is altered by impaired hepatocyte processes or obstruction to the discharge of bilirubin into the intestines. Clinically, this means that hyperbilirubinaemia can be cased by heamolysis or choleostasis - the next step diagnostically is to establish if the inciting cause is prehepatic, hepatic or posthepatic.

==Distinguishing Conjugated from Unconjugated Bilirubin==

==Distinguishing Conjugated from Unconjugated Bilirubin==