Cushings Disease and Calcinosis Cutis
Submitted by Lonna with Harl... on May 5, 2010 - 8:00pm
Our first Bulldog Rocky developed Cushings disease and very serious calcinosis cutis. Although this disease can occur naturally in Rocky's case it was a side effect of long term prednisone use. Rocky developed horrible sores all over his body, his topside was almost completely covered. These sores would be hard bumps (mineral deposits) that would easily become infected, ooze, itch, and spread rapidly.
When Rocky's symptoms first appeared and he was diagnosed we thought for a time that we would eventually lose him because of this. We were very lucky. A veterinary dermatologist from Pfizer in CA was coming to our vets office in Michigan. We were asked to bring Rocky in for a consult with her. She told us what she would like us to feed him and what we should apply to his skin. It took awhile, but he recovered, his skin healed to almost normal.
I read these forums daily for any info that I might find helpful. Recently, I read a very sad post about a bully that crossed over because of Cushings and Calcinosis. I don't have alot of experience or expertise in many bulldog medical issues but this is one area that I do. If anyone is going thru this and would like more info on Rocky's treatment. Contact me.
Lonna & Harley
Lonna, very kind of you to offer help
its so sad that knowledge has to come from experience.
Thanks
Lynn King CPDT-KA
please help
Hi,
Our Bulldog Norman as the exact condition you have discribed. Our vet has done tests and confirmed he has cushings and he put him on Ventroyl 120mg per day to treat that but he is stuggling to find a cause or solution for his skin with sounds identical to your dog. We are really worried about him because it seems to be getting worse very quickly.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Mia and Andy
England
the skin condition is calcinosis cutis
Hi,
When we were going through the initial diagnosis process, our vet was puzzled by the skin issues as well. Fortunately, he knew a dermatologist that happened to specialize in Cushing's disease and he told us the skin problem is a side effect that is pretty much exclusively found in dogs with Cushing's disease: calcinosis cutis. In a nutshell, the overproduction of steroid also causes their bodies to accumilate copius amounts of calcium which then pushes itself out through the dogs skin, thus causing the bumps and such. As the management of the disease gets under control, this side effect is supposed to abate as well. We are in about month 2.5 of treatment and our dog still has large areas of calcified skin (although not as deep and prone to infection as intially) but he is now slowly starting to grow hair in areas where they had fallen out. I read somewhere that this side effect usually gets worse before it gets better as the residual calcium is trying to push itself out of your pups body. Unfortunately, the only advice we have been given is to continue treatment with Vetoryl and we just have to wait it out for his skin to improve. Just make sure to keep your dog clean to prevent infection of these spots as their immune system is compromised; our vet recommended a bath every five days with antibacterial shampoo and an oatmeal conditioner/rinse (to prevent his skin from drying out bc of the frequent baths). Anyway, I hope this helps you as I feel my hubby and I have been living and breathing this disease for the past few months!
Good luck!
my dog has cushings too
Hi,
Is there any way to accelarate the removal of the calcified bumps on my bully? He is very slowly getting better and even starting to regrow really downy hair in some places but continues to have large patches that are covered by calcified bumps. Can you suggest anything to help soothe my poor little guy?
Thanks!
cushing's...sores
Thank you so much for offering your experiences with this terrible disease and the side effects. I keep my fingers crossed that the Cushing's subsides as the prednisone leaves Budda's system, we can hope right?! Sadly, the vets don't have a lot of solid answers. I will post when I hear back from the derm specialist we saw! Next stop may be an endocrinologist.
Thanks,
Nicole and Budda
Skin lesion (after biopsies)
Budd'a skin and DSMO
HI NIcole. Since I got your note I have been applying DSMO. I read loads about it. Bought on line and went to the local feed store to get it ASAP. I kept hoping to hear from Rocky's mom and never have. Thank goodness I heard from you.
I wondered if you could tell me if you noticed a difference quickly with the DSMO or was it VERY gradual? We have been applying for a week. I got a 70/30 pure solution with a roller ball and I apply it twice daily. Poowee it stinks. Fortunatly he doesnt' mind.
Also, did you have the expeirence of feeling it was getting worse before it got better? We have been on cushings medication (vetoryl) for 6 weeks. The calcinosis has not improved. Seems to keep spreading. The only parts of his body not effected are the middle top back and the belly. Sides are bad. Worst at the shoulders. Scary looking. Symetrical. Lots of bumpy business. In the beginning there is always huge inflammation and then scabbing that remains whitish after the dark scabs eventually dissappear. Does did sound familiar? I sometimes wonder if there is something more than calicinosis going on. Amazing how little I can find in the way of images online.
Thanks for your time.
Marika.
PS: any chance we could talk on the phone? My number is 310-666-7840. I am near Los Angeles. My personal email is marikazoll at aol dot com.
Bye.
DMSO
I sent you a response to a personal message also. I have seen an improvement with 2 weeks of DMSO use (every other day) and then a 2 week break from it. There are still sores, although shrinking, but his fur has started growing back. Budda's case may be different, since it appears to be prednisone induced, and simply stopping the prednisone may reverse this....or so I hope. The DMSO prescription I am using is 90% gel. It is through the university vet hospital, as I believe they use it on horses there for the most part. Make sure you have a high quality DMSO product. It is stinky and will smell like garlic on your pup, be sure to wear gloves when you apply it because it soaks into skin very quickly.
Your dog was like my dog is now.
HI. I am so excited to hear about what that veterinary dermatologist told you for diet. My dog Angel (5.5 yrs) is diagnosed with Cushings. He as been on the new medication Trilostane (Vetoryl) for 1 month now. He apparently feels better. His energy is much better, he looks nice/brighter in his eyes in his face. BUT , and a big BUT, his skin is just horrible. It keeps getting worse. He has patches all over himself. They are symmetrical, sort of, at his shoulders is the worst, his hips , and the back of his neck with bits here and there where I can feel crusts coming on. The older parts look now like overly cooked pizza. FEels like an elephant. I am terrified he will be covered everywhere given another month. I cannot find any information that will help. I found some information that suggests that the medication could be exasorbating the cc. Possible dosing of twice a day is mentioned. But nothing is conclusive. My vet is very non challant and says it looks better since it is not bright red everywhere. Although there are new spots that are.
I believe that much can be cured with diet. My husband is a brittle diabetic with another disease where his body secretes iron. He has had terrible rashes at points and his diet effects him enourmously. This is the case for many things. Looking forward to talking to you. Wish we could chat on the phone. If you are open here is my number. 310-666-7840.. I have unlimited minutes. Or , we could skype. Whatever works for you. If you want to see my guy, in his healthier days, I have a website for my dogs that is kind of fun. Did I tell you I have French Bulldogs. My site is http://www.FrenchBulldogsla.com.
I love that you are open to sharing. Maybe I have some knowledge I can share with you. I love the idea of "pay it forward".
Most Sincerely,
Marika Zoll
So I got excited when you talked about Rocky and the dermatoligist. I will anxiously await words from you. Thank you so much for sharing.
Marika Zoll
Rocky's mom
Still hoping to hear from you. Buddmom was told to use DSMO. I am wondering if you used that too. Please be in touch. You wrote:
YOu wrote:
"She told us what she would like us to feed him and what we should apply to his skin. It took awhile, but he recovered, his skin healed to almost normal."
I am hopeful after reading what you wrote.
interested in what you used besides more meds for calcinosis cut
Our 6 1/2 yr old bully was just diagnosed with calcinosis cutis and the vet wants to put him on atopica. it seems the side effects are pretty bad too... but can't continue on a steroid. what was your remedy? we'd love any info! thx!
Lincoln's Mom, Kelly
what else for calcinosis cutis cushings
Use med "vetoryl". The safest. Go read about it. Also, use DSMO on skin every other day. The best remedies. I have not done it but I hear a diet of pork and potatoes. Need to do that myself. also, Coloidal silver spray on skin.
hope this help.
Cushings Disease with SEVERE Calcinosis Cutis
Can you share what you found to be successful in the treatment of calcinosis cutis? We have a 10.5 yo male bulldog and it has spread terribly. We are so concerned and the vet hasn't seen a case like this.
Sue Marek