BILIRUBIN, TOTAL

Description

The Bilirubin Total test measures the total concentration of bilirubin in your pet’s blood. Bilirubin is the yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin in aged red blood cells. It is processed by the liver, conjugated into a water-soluble form, and excreted in bile. Elevated total bilirubin is a sensitive indicator of liver disease or hemolytic disorders in dogs and cats.

Total bilirubin is composed of two fractions: direct (conjugated) bilirubin and indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin. Elevated total bilirubin is visible clinically as jaundice (icterus) once levels exceed approximately 2 mg/dL in both dogs and cats. Jaundice affects the gums, sclerae (whites of the eyes), and skin.

Elevated total bilirubin in dogs and cats can result from pre-hepatic causes (hemolytic anemia), hepatic causes (hepatocellular disease, hepatic lipidosis), or post-hepatic causes (bile duct obstruction). In dogs, bilirubinuria is common even under normal conditions, while bilirubinuria in cats is always abnormal and requires investigation. The total bilirubin test is often paired with ALT, ALP, and GGT for comprehensive liver assessment.

At Home Petcare provides at-home Bilirubin Total testing for dogs and cats in Hyderabad. Blood samples are collected by trained veterinary professionals and processed at accredited diagnostic laboratories for accurate results.