Over the course of his career in veterinary medicine, Joseph Bisignano, DVM, has demonstrated expertise in diagnosing and treating internal disease. Joseph Bisignano, DVM, has earned board certification in internal medicine and draws on an in-depth knowledge of feline kidney disease. A cat's kidneys perform a broad range of essential functions, including the removal of waste from the bloodstream and the regulation of blood consistency. Unfortunately, the filtering systems inside feline kidneys are susceptible to degeneration over time, as well as to illness or injuries. Younger cats are more likely to develop acute kidney failure, which presents over the course of days to weeks. It most commonly results following the ingestion of toxic substances, including human medications and pesticides, though it may also be a result of infection or trauma. If acute kidney failure is identified and treated early in its development, damage may be reversible and function returned. Chronic kidney failure, by contrast, has no known cure. It occurs when scar tissue takes the place of at least 75 percent of working kidney tissue, and it develops over the course of months to years. Veterinary science has not yet identified a single cause for this type of kidney failure, though it may be an end result of such complex conditions as high blood pressure, dental disease, and thyroid dysfunction.
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Joseph Bisignano, DVM, has diagnosed and evaluated animals with a variety of health concerns. Among the conditions Dr. Joseph Bisignano has treated are glandular conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, which may present itself in cats.
Hyperthyroidism, a relatively common condition in cats, has a large effect on the animal’s overall health. Cats with this condition have too much thyroxine in their body, which results in a number of different symptoms, most notably a loss in weight. However, despite this weight loss, cats with hyperthyroidism often also have a big appetite. A cat with the condition might also be thirsty all the time, urinate more frequently, and have diarrhea. Other signs may include the cat being overly active and shedding more than in the past. Cats of all breeds may become hyperthyroid. However, the condition is rare in younger cats, instead typically affecting cats that are older than ten years of age. Most commonly, cats that develop hyperthyroidism are twelve to thirteen years old. Upon diagnosing a cat with hyperthyroidism, a veterinarian might recommend medication to help regulate the cat’s hormones. In some cases, injections with radioactive iodine or surgery might also be considered as treatment. If a pet owner suspects that his or her cat is hyperthyroid, he or she should take the cat in to a veterinarian for testing and evaluation. |
AuthorA board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist, Joseph Bisignano, DVM, recently completed advanced residency training before joining the staff of VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital as a veterinary specialist. Archives
September 2023
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