Calcinosis Cutis and Cushings (Peety has passed)

Everyday for the past 6 months and I have watched his skin go from horrible to absolutely unexplainable. Today my brother came by and asked how he was doing. When I was trying to explain what it looked like, he said he looks like he's turning into a soft-shelled turtle :eek::eek::eek:. I said that is a great way to explain it. Except not soft in any way. Maybe a hard-shelled turtle :D:D:D. I have read that some CC can be operated on. Maybe that is what they meant. Before I couldn't imagine how they could remove CC, but if it is contained maybe it can be removed. Good question for my next discussion with Dr. Morgan. I will try to post some new pictures and see if I can get a picture that shows up well. Actually I am happy to see his skin is showing signs of improvement in other areas. The black skin on his stomach (not hard, just black) is gone and it was pretty bad. So maybe the vitamins or the brewers yeast have helped it. Maybe the coconut oil, or the Manuka honey, or the salt water. I don't care that I can't pin that down, I am just happy to see these improvements. He is wearing his cone less every day, because his skin has settled down. It's just ugly, but ugly apparently doesn't itch anymore. So maybe internally things have changed too.

Well, I'm just rambling, but some things have improved and I have to be thankful for every lil improvement. He is still my beautiful lil buddy. It's funny, Peety has always loved:):) backrubs. And now even with this crazy stuff going on he still loves his back rubbed. He is absolutely in another world when I do it. I can't rub his whole back, mostly just his sides and he is just in heaven. He makes me laugh he is so funny. So there are positive things that I see and that is my daily encouragement.
Thanks for all of your concern and support. This continues to be a learning experience. Hugs to all of you.

Pat Peety's #1 fan

Dr Morgan called. She said she talked to someone at Auburn University today. She said he told her he had a dog right now that looked like a soft shelled turtle. That is too funny. That just today that reference was made. Unbelievable. So someone does get it. Finally, progress. Anyway, she wants to rule out the effect of the steroids on his system. He was on steroids early part of the year. So I am getting those records faxed over to her today and she will review everything that has been done and it will give her a better idea of what has transpired over the past 6 months. Also we are going to redo the Cushing's test. She said she wasn't overly concerned about the kidneys, she saw the levels were elevated, but said there were a couple of reasons that could have shown up and she didn't spend a lot of time on that. So another blood test will answer a lot of questions. She said it was possible that he was not Cushinoid and his skin could get better on it's on. She is still a little baffled that he has no symptoms. I knew Dr. Morgan would jump right on this. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. So step one, new Dr., step 2 new tests, step 3, answers. Hopefully.:D:D:D I am already encouraged in one visit with her. Boy, how much time has been wasted over the past few months. It's nice to finally have someone react appropriately to this situation. Instead of just scratching their head. My lil buddy is in good hands now.:D:D

I think it's great that she's starting again at the beginning, and especially that she is reviewing Peety's earlier steroid use. It's funny, but I was thinking earlier this morning that I wanted to go back and re-read your thread in that regard, too. When I wrote that part about CC most often being related to Cushing's or steroid use, I was reminded that Peety had indeed had prednisone treatment earlier in the year.

I'm also pleased that Dr. Morgan consulted with Auburn. I really think they are an outstanding vet school and I know they have researchers on staff that are very familiar with Cushing's. So let's see what we find out this time around. ;)

Marianne

It looks like you're finally going to be able to get the help you need. That is awesome!:D
Hugs,
Kathy

Yay, so glad to hear that Dr. Morgan is really going to town trying to figure this out!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi! Any news on Peety from Dr Morgan, hoping some progress is being made and he is still feeling good :D Every time I have honey on my toast I think of Peety!! :D

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm...date=&pageID=2

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm...date=&pageID=4

There are so many articles on DVM360 regarding dematology issues. They also give case studies that are interesting and we can gain insight from.

I was looking back to find an article I found that also gave other causes for calcinosis cutis but have not come across it yet. I'll keep looking. What can happen is they may start with cc but then develop pruitis on top of the cc so the cc becomes an underlying condition.

I do remember one case study where the dog's skin was very troublesome to the dog and they gave him whirpool treatments in Betadine Iodine mixed with water. But I think you said your pup is not itchy or painful, right?

I am hoping Dr. Morgan will come across something as maybe it is not calcinosis cutis.

I hope you were able to get some answers soon :) Have they figured out exactly what it is yet? Come on docs, let's get this solved!;) big hugs,
Kathy

Is there a sign up sheet for giving Peety back rubs? I'm in, I will be over shortly!!!! Praying the vet helps you soon, sending hugs too!!

Hi everyone, We had a delay because the other Vet did not get the records faxed over until yesterday. Dr Morgan called today, we are going to do more blood work on Monday. She wants to look at the liver and kidney values again to see what is going on there. She thinks he is atypical for Cushing's. No symptoms but the skin issues. The Dr. at Auburn said even if this was related to the predisone it could take a year for his skin to get back to normal. Otherwise he is good, Happy and playing. Our routine is the same. He loves his bath now. He volunteers to get in the shower now. One day, I was calling him to come get in the shower, I called and called and I turned around and he was already right behind me in the shower. He looked at me like "WHAT":D:D:D He's my sweet boy and we have a lot of fun playing ball and taking long walks. Yes, he would love more back rubs, he would be so spoiled rotten, :):) oops, too late, he already is.

Hope all lil fur bundles are happy today and all is well. Big hugs to all of you..

Peety's #1 fan