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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A dedicated veterinarian, Joseph Bisignano, DVM, most recently served as a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital in California. Joseph Bisignano, DVM, maintains a particular interest in endocrine diseases of dogs and cats, and he has written a number of publications that discuss various conditions.
When a cat’s hormones become unbalanced, it may result in any number of feline endocrine diseases, many of which are treatable with medication or hormone injections. The following are just a few of the endocrine diseases found in cats. -Hyperthyroidism: Resulting from an excess of thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism may cause unexplained weight loss and frequent vomiting. It is most commonly seen in older cats and can be treated through a lifelong medication regimen or an injection of radioactive iodine. -Cushing’s syndrome: Also called hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing’s syndrome is somewhat rare in cats. Typically caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, the disorder results in excessive amounts of cortisol and may cause increased eating or drinking. -Diabetes mellitus: Similar to diabetes in humans, diabetes mellitus results from insufficient amounts of insulin. Cats with diabetes may experience constant hunger and weight loss, and treatment for mild cases normally involves insulin injections and a change in diet. |
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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