10 y/o Boston Terrier - Adrenalectomy but still has Calcinosis Cutis

[rml]

My 10 year old Boston Terrier developed calcium lesions along her spine starting this summer (July 2015). We finally had a biopsy and the diagnosis was calcinosis cutis, and then had the tests to confirm Cushings. She had an Ultrasound and a large L. adrenal tumor was found. She had surgery to remove it in November. Her skin became a lot worse, no hardened areas, but leaky areas. She has been on antibiotics because several areas became infected, and now it is spreading on both sides of her neck, raised areas that drain clear fluid, then on to clear mixed with blood. She is on Prednisone, but seems quite miserable. It looks like this is going to go on for awhile. I didn't think there would be new sores forming. We can't test her again for Cortisol until she's off Prednisone. It is difficult. Anyone else have experience with Cushings caused by a tumor that had calcinosis cutis?

[labblab]

I apologize that I have only a moment to post right now, but I am wondering whether the prednisone may unfortunately be causing the calcinosis cutis to persist. Is your dog taking the prednisone in order to compensate for lost cortisol subsequent to the adrenalectomy? If so, there may be no choice but to continue it for the time being. But excessive prednisone can fuel CC in exactly the same manner as does excessive cortisol. So the pred may be contributing to the problem right now.

I assume your dog is under the care of a specialist in conjunction with the adrenalectomy? What does that vet have to say about the problem?

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Yes I agree with Marianne, prednisone will act just like high cortisol and cause the same symptoms. Did they ever try to wean her off the prednisone after surgery to see if her remaining adrenal gland would kick in and start working?
When was the surgery and how long has she been on the prednisone at what dosage?

[rml]

I lost my other thread, had to get a new password. In answer..Sadie had vomiting (probably due to a medication interaction), so we took her into the vet, and to check her skin. Off Prednisone for 6 days now, and behavior fairly normal. She received an antibiotic injection that is to last two weeks, and changed our skin procedure to bathing every 3 days, plain gauze, and am applying ointment to hardened red areas under her front arms. What is frustrating is that there are new lesions now, especially on both sides of her neck and near her anus. Some of these grow red and drain, others forming hard crusts. I understand it is to worsen before it improves, but would love to hear from others that really WILL go away. She bears it a lot better than I would.
We anticipate an ACTH testing next week to see her Cortisol/adrenal function again.

[molly muffin]

I do hope to hear that Her adrenal gland is functioning and you can get away from the prednison.

This is Renee and Toby's thread, who has gone through the dreaded CC. It does eventually get better.

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

[rml]

I am sorry for your losses. I must ask if the passing is due to Cushings, or from other things. If Cushings, how long had your dog been under treatment for it? These are things you just cannot find out unless you've kept up. Thank you so much.

[Squirt's Mom]

I have moved you post from the In Loving Memory section to your original thread where members can answer your question.

[molly muffin]

Most dogs end up passing due to other illness that come with age.
How long they live in relations to cushings, depends greatly upon age diagnosed, where they already a senior dog for instance, and anything else that might come up, just as with any dog.

[rml]

I was wondering how long it takes for calcinosis cutis to resolve. My Boston, who is 10, started with her lesions this last summer, the biopsy showing CC, and tests revealed a large adrenal tumor (Cushings). It was removed Nov. 10th, but her skin problems have continued and worsened. Sadie's problem started at her tail end and went up her back, then to her neck, now on her throat and face. She looks awful. Her underarms are terrible with red flat plaques. I have written about this before, but it gets me down, having her on so many antibiotics (5th course since summer) and DMSO every day. This is her regimen...she gets bathed every 3 days, leaving the shampoo on for 10 minutes (softening a lot of the crusts), then daily DMSO applied in a thin layer. Under her arms, I apply ointment once or twice a day. She is on Zenaquin antibiotic currently. We keep a "tee shirt" on her when we go out. No drainage right now, (but had an infection in late November). Antibiotics do control it quite well. I do not put DMSO under her arms, but maybe I should? Those lesions are round, red, with hardened areas, but not crusty like the ones in other places. Anyone else? She acts quite normal and puts up with the treatments better than I would! She has had another ACTH test that showed improving Cortisol levels and will have another soon. I was wondering, the dogs that have passed on, I wish people would say why. I am curious whether the dogs die from this or from something else. I just get sad when this goes on and on, and new lesions appear.

[Harley PoMMom]

That CC does take a long while to heal and it usually gets worse before it gets better.

The link to Renee's thread that Sharlene (molly muffin) posted is full of information regarding CC so I'm including that link too: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5908

Could you get a copy of Sadie's recent ACTH test and post those results here? Thanks!

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Hi, how are things going with Sadie? Are the sores clearing up at all?

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

I'm copying a post you made on Skippy's thread to your baby's original thread.


My Boston Terrier had a large pituitary tumor removed in November 2015. She also had Calcinosis Cutis, which took a lot of wound care. She was placed on Trilostane, and has been taking it since. It took a good 3 months before her skin healed. She has been doing well. Her hair now is falling out in droves! I do not know if it is from the Trilostane or from the Cushings returning, but we don't really want to get her retested, as she becomes so anxious that it likely drives her Cortisol levels higher. She is 11, and doubt we will do anything else. For now she is eating and playing and doing okay.