Treating hair loss, cushings likely but still testing

[Daisy]

My 11 y/o boxer Daisy (I.e., my best girl) is suspected of having pituitary cushings. Ultrasound reported slightly enlarged adrenal glands and ACTH is scheduled for next week. Daisy has been drinking water excessivly for about 4 months now with occasional accidents indoors (very unusual for her). She has become food obsessed and refuses to go for a walk (she digs her paws in at the driveway). Recently we found a scabby patch on the back of her neck which has quickly progressed to large flaking patches on her sides.
The vet initially prescribed an antibiotic, thyroid medication and pain meds. Daisy perked up a bit with meds but her skin continues to worsen. The vet then prescribed pyroben but that was before the ultrasound. Daisy has been bathed with pyroben 3 times.
Question: is pyroben safe to use if her skin issues are cushings related? She doesn't appear to be in pain but her skin is looking red in some spots and I'm worried the shampoo will cause more irritation.
I appreciate any insight,
Daisy's momma

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am sorry you and your Daisy are having these troubles. I have just a sec but wanted to ask a few questions.

I have not used the pyroben shampoo - but know it is used for mange. Did your vet mention anything about calcinosis cutis? It is a condition where calcium deposits are formed in the skin. Cushpups can be prone to this. There are several here that are dealing with this.

You mentioned thyroid medications --- what were the test results for this?

Terry

[Daisy]

The vet did mention the calcium deposits and tested some of her skin but said the test results did not indicate calcium deposits.
After her ultrasound she did mention that she wanted to start cushings treatment soon because the skin problems with cushings can become painful.
Daisy's thyroid test came back low so the thyroid meds were prescribed. This was before our ultrasound.
My husband has been taking Daisy to her appointments and he doesn't ask the same questions I do. I'm planning to attend her next appointment so I may have my questions answered then but I am curious to hear what others have experienced with cushings related skin problems.
Thanks!

[mytil]

Thanks for the information and let us know the results of the ACTH test you mentioned. Was a blood chem panel performed as well? Any elevations there?

A lot here have used oatmeal baths to help soothe the skin. You can ask your vet about this too. Skin issues are common in Hypothyroidism so this can be related only to this and not Cushing's.

What Cushing's medication is your vet wanting to prescribe IF she turns out to have Cushing's? Most lean towards meds they have some experience with but some we have seen here do not.

Keep us posted
Terry

[labblab]

Hello and welcome from me, too! I sympathize with your worry over Daisy's skin issues, because right now I am battling a similar problem with my own 6 y/o Lab. As far as we know, we are unaware of any underlying health problem that would be making her vulnerable to skin infections. But that is the puzzle for us, because healthy adult dogs do not usually have chronic skin infections. However, allergies or health problems that suppress the immune system can definitely lead to vulnerability to infections of many kinds. Cushing's is a disorder that is at the top of the list in that regard.

As Terry says, low thyroid can be responsible for skin/coat issues. But if Daisy tests positive for Cushing's, that can be at the root of all those issues. The good news, though, is that once cortisol levels are lowered into therapeutic range, the vulnerability to infection can be minimized and often low thyroid levels also normalize.

In the meantime, it makes sense that your vet is trying to keep Daisy's skin infection from worsening. That is what we are doing with my girl, too. Our vet thinks she has a staph infection. She is on a 3-week course of oral antibiotic and we are bathing her regularly with another medicated shampoo, Sebozole. It looks to be similar to the Pyroben. I just checked the instructions for Pyroben, though, and it says to notify your vet if it seems to be causing skin irritation. I'm sure this would hold true for any medicated shampoo because a dog may be sensitive to the particular chemicals that are used in that specific formula. Since there are several options, it may be better if you switch to a different shampoo.

Definitely let us know how Daisy's testing turns out, OK? And once again, welcome to you both!

Marianne

[molly muffin]

I just want to say hello and welcome to the forum.

Skin issues for cushings dog can get bad very quickly. Keeping them clean and dry is important. I haven't heard of using Pyroben more often you hear something more like a trichlor spray or shampoo, something with antibiotic properties as it is easy for the areas to become get bacterial and yeast infections. Not everything works the same for every dog either. If it is red, then a mange treatment unless it is actually mange might be too strong.

Welcome again.

[Daisy]

Thank you all for your responses!
Daisy did have blood work but I didn't see the results and my husband didn't ask for much info. I'll see about getting a copy.
We are starting to see hair grow back in some of the older patches which has me thinking her skin issues are thyroid related except she is still losing fur in other spots. She also has black bumps appearing in a few patches. We have kept up the shampoo as her skin doesn't seem to bother her and if it is mange related to her thyroid, I understand the shampoo will help. So far, her skin and patches have been dry, sounds like that could be a good sign.
I'll let you know what the ACTH results are after her visit on Wednesday.
Thanks again everyone, it's helpful having a place to share and ask questions.