Pet Diabetes Support Group

The information herein is very general and is comprised of data collected primarily from discussions on the Muffin Diabetic Pet Group E-mail list and covers topics the members encountered in treating their diabetic pets. We will continue to build this database as more information becomes available.

It is far from being a definitive guide and other resources should be explored.

Always consult your veterinarian
before making any changes to your
diabetic pet's regime

A major cause of hair loss is illness. The gloss on a pet's coat is a very good indicator that there may be problems and is an excellent hint that a veterinarian should be consulted.

In diabetic pets, particularly dogs, hair loss seems to be quite common. In my own experience, Muffie's fur got very soft and fine and thinned out, most noticably on her back which seemed to be the area most affected. Hair loss, particularly along the back, is a symptom of Cushings so her veterinarian did a thorough check and could find no health-issue to account for this, including Cushings, other than the diabetes. Once she was regulated, the hair loss stopped.

If the hair loss is caused by the effects of the diabetes, once the condition is regulated, the hair loss should slow down and the gloss return. This was also my experience. Muffie's fur reached a level where it was thin but loss did not occur beyond that level - i.e. she did not go bald, etc.

However, there can be underlying causes for hair loss beyond the diabetes, two of which are thyroid disease (either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) and Cushings. Both are treatable. It's a good idea to request a Cushings test when the diagnosis of diabetes is first made because the symptoms of both are very similar.

Stress is another contributor to hair loss.

**Briefly, the symptoms for Cushings are:**
* thinning hair - loss of hair in patches with no regrowth resulting in spots * distended belly * poldypsia - drinking too much * polyuria - frequent urination * polyphagia - eating large quantities * enlarged adbomen ( due to enlarged liver) * thinning of the skin * muscle weakness * increased panting As you can see, these symptoms mirror the symptoms of diabetes.

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder and cannot be prevented. However, once treatment begins, the majority of the symptoms resolve. Symptoms may include:

* Lethargy – lack of interest in play; frequent sleeping
* Depression
* Exercise intolerance
* Weight gain without a noticable gain in appetite
* Cold intolerance
* Slow heart rate
* Infertility
* Constipation
* Diarrhea
* Chronic skin disorders -- dry skin, hair loss

Hyperthyroidism is much more common in cats (particularly older cats) than in dogs and is a serious condition. Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be:

* weight loss secondary to the increased rate of metabolism.
* a ravenous appetite
* excessive thirst
* frequent urination
* vomiting or diarrhea
* poor hair coat
* in some cases, anorexia develops as the disease progresses

Except for the ravenous appetite, the rest of these symptoms can also be indicators of CRF (Chronic Renal Failure)

The bottom line is that if you don't feel the shedding is a natural process (i.e. it would be natural for shedding to occur during spring of the year), then for your own peace of mind and to avoid potential problems down the road, you should consult with your veterinarian to eliminate possible underlying causes.

If your pet is exhibiting any of the above noted symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Hope this has helped.