Can my dog with diabetes, thyroid, alopecia live a good life?

That is a very difficult question to answer especially because his diabetes may not be well controlled yet. I would advise you to consult with Spikey's veterinarian to discuss his quality of life and current medical conditions. If there is anything we can do to improve his diabetes such as switching insulin, it may be worth a try prior to considering euthanasia.

The prognosis is definitely guarded to poor. Especially if the ketoacidosis isn't treated aggressively and right away.. Cushing's disease is a slow progressing disease that can take months to sometimes years to finally take its toll on pets when left untreated. Diabetic keroacidotic dogs can live if the ketones are removed from the body quickly before they cause serious complications. I hope this helps and best wishes with your pet Rasta. If you wish to discuss the case more in detail then feel free to request a consultation. Best wishes.

I am sorry to hear about your dachsund! It looks like his hairloss is primarily around his ears/pinnae? and his trunk? It is possible your dachsund suffers from pattern baldness, which can cause this pattern of hair loss in this dog breed. There aren't proven treatments but anecdotal use of some medications such as pentoxifylline and melatonin are reported. I would discuss with your vet whether they feel these are appropriate to try with your dog given his medical history/current medications. As far as the cornea goes, are you certain they didn't say his retina instead of his cornea? The cornea is the surface of the eye, the retina is the back of the eye. In some dogs, if there are problems with the retina we can remove the cataract but the dog still won't be able to see because the retina is damaged already. If they are speaking about the surface of the eye, then it is hard to say without seeing his eye more clearly.

Addison's Disease cannot be cured, but it can often be managed with life-long medications. It does usually require frequent vet visits for monitoring in the future. However, it can be life-threatening if a dog is sick when it is first diagnosed (or the suspected diagnosis). Without aggressive treatment, dogs can easily die from dehydration and shock caused by the effects on their fluid volume. Here is a great article on Addison's Disease and what to expect from diagnosis and treatment: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=608

I'm so sorry that Duke is doing poorly. Unfortunately skin problems can be very difficult to diagnose and treat because they often look the same on exam and require further testing for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. If Duke has a low thyroid level, then he will need thyroid medication for the rest of his life. I have attached more information on hypothyroidism below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=461 Unfortunately, hair loss can be caused by a huge variety of hormonal and skin problems. Below is a handout that discusses another hormonal disease that can affect the skin called Cushing's disease. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1551 If Duke is itchy, I would also recommend that your veterinarian perform a skin cytology to evaluate for secondary bacterial or yeast infection which is very common with hormonal diseases. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=466 I think you will likely need to have your vet recheck Duke's skin, recheck his blood work, and possibly do additional testing to determine the best treatment for Duke. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

I'm sorry to hear about Simba's passing. Signs of diabetes are generally increased water intake, weight loss and increased urination. Blood work and a urinalysis are needed for a diagnosis. Skin lesions can occur in diabetic dogs but they are not a primary sign of the condition, especially since many other conditions cause skin lesions and are much more common. Try to focus on the many happy memories you two shared and not the few sad ones. My condolences.

Hi there! Usually thyroid supplementation is for life! Hopefully her weight will start to improve as she continues the medication, with lots of exercise! Definitely it is something to think over, although generally it is not too difficult to manage a pet with thyroid issues. They do need to have their blood tested periodically to help with the ongoing dosing of the thyroid medication. Hope this helps!