Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/8/2009

Question
my dog is 4 years old and  right before thanksgiving she was diagnosed with pancreatitis and it was also suggested she may have cancer because she the only treatment she responded to was steroids.  Her symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, a lot of hair loss, muscle spasms, and loss of appetite and energy. After the hospital stay my mother decided to go toward the more natural treatment.  We are currently giving her natural kibbles and a formula that is supposed to help treat cancer.  She currently is completely normal.  She is eating regularly, the muscle spasms stopped, and her appetite and energy returned, the diarrhea and vomiting stopped.  The hair loss stopped for a a month; however, I realized that she started to loose a lot of fur.  Can anyone tell me what to do or what she has?  My parents already spent $5,000 and they dont plan on spending anymore what should i do?

Answer
Hair loss after any illness is not uncommon. The skinis the last body organ to receive nitrition and in a disease like pancreatitis where the nutritional status of the dog is severely upset, the coat will not get its nutrition to remain healthy.  Pancreatitis can resolve and it may never return with the proper diet.