Tank the bulldog

[dash1]

Hi everyone - This is Andy. I'm new to the site today although I've been reading threads for a few days now. My bulldog Tank just got back from a dermatologist because of extremely severe calcinosis cutis which has come on very quickly. The Dr confirmed mine and my vet's suspicion of Cushing's. Tank has not been tested formally yet although he shows all of the Cushing's symptoms except panting and incontinence - these symptoms he does not exhibit. The calcinosis is so aggressive that I'm not even sure he can wait for the testing or medications. I can't imagine what he's going to look like in even another week. I'm terrified at this point - and looking for any help we can get. Tank will be 8 years in September and always has been vigorously healthy and active. He has been eating Aelyon with raw meat since he was 3 months old with only one visit to the vet in 7 years. But now he has no interest in anything but eating. Lifeless. I had noticed some hair loss, weight gain and lethargy for a while. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism but did not respond to the thyroid medication. This led me to research on my own and come up with Cushing's. The vet agreed. So other than testing to see which type of Cushing's he has I'm not sure what to do. I really don't know how he is going to endure the calcinosis cutis which is getting worse by the second. The dermatologist sent us home with DMSO and antacids - too early to tell how these are working. Thanks in advance for your help! Happy to be a part of this forum!

Andy

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. I'm so sorry Tank is having the dreaded calicinosis cutis. Now that you have that confirmed, it is most likely caused by cushings.

So, first thing is that cc gets worse before it gets better. All those calicium deposits that are just under the skin have to come up and push through.

You'll want to cut the hair around each sore, for cleanliness and to help keep bacteria out as they are prone to bacteria and yeast infections. Keep the areas dried out as much as possible but get yourself a good actibacterial spray or combo shampoo and spray. Some members have used trichlor spray (you can get it on Amazon and have it arrive fairly quickly).

Next does your vet want to do testing to confirm cushings? like the LDDS or ACTH? The ACTH will tell you what the cortisol is now, while the LDDS can help to determine if it is pituitary or adrenal based.

Now what we have discovered is that to help get control of cc, the post cortisol level needs to be under 5.0ug. So that is key.

This is a thread to one of our members whose dog Tobey also has cc and she is doing really well to get it under control.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5908

[dash1]

Thanks very much for your reply! I plan on taking Tank to the vet - again - this week so they can see the new sores and help us get it under control. I'll definitely check out the link you sent and see what another member is doing for their dog with cc. Right now I'm using DMSO and Gaviscon antacid - but started only 2 days ago so I can't see any progress. It's the new sores coming up so quickly that worries me. He has hardening of his skin even in areas with no sores. The vet wants to do an abdominal ultrasound and an ACTH test and get him on Vetoryl most likely after the results come in. Thanks again for your help!

Andy

[molly muffin]

Let us know what the vet says when you go back, but remember that with cc, things get worse looking before they get better, but yes, you'll definitely want to get him on treatment as soon as possible.