Buttercup (Calcinosis cutis) - Buttercup is now in heaven

Dawn, undergoing only a single laser treatment is fairly new to us. Traditionally, radiation therapy for an enlarging pituitary tumor has involved around a dozen treatments spread over 4-6 weeks. We have seen dogs who experienced variable outcomes with that therapy. It has typically been recommend as a result of neurological changes. With some dogs, the outcome has been excellent and both the neurological problems and also the overt Cushing's resolved for an extended period of time. With other dogs, the neurological symptoms have resolved but the dogs still required traditional drug treatment for control of the Cushing's. And unfortunately, some dogs have suffered complications and not survived long after the treatment.

Since the single treatment is pretty much cutting-edge, I would really grill the folks at Davis as to their experience there. How many dogs have suffered complications and what are they likely to be? What is their expectation as to the need to go forward with Cushing's drug treatment even if the tumor size is reduced? Do they expect the tumor to regrow, and if so, within what time frame?

Marianne

Those are all the ?'s on my list. She will be on meds for life even after the treatment. Laser will not complete obliterate the tumor so she will be monitored for life.
Yes this is cutting edge treatment, they have all bells and buzzers up here, no other facility out here that has this type of rad laser. Butters is lucky to not have to go through the older traditional treatment, will be less stressfully for her.
Spoke with her Vet at home who is a grad from UC Davis, she agrees that this new laser is amazing with amazing pinpoint accuracy and very powerful. 1 treatment is all that should be needed. This same equipment is use on humans also with great results.
I am creating an album to share her Cushing's journey.

Dawn, this will be fantastic for you to share your experiences.

As it turns out, I lost my own Cushpup to what we assume was an enlarging pituitary tumor. We never knew for sure because we opted out of an MRI. That was because we had decided in advance that we could not ask him to go through the extended radiation treatment even if the imaging showed a macrotumor. If only there had been the chance of a single treatment at that time -- we probably would have jumped at it! :o

What you learn during this experience will be super helpful for all our members in the future :). I'll surely be watching for all your updates!

Dawn:
Even though this is new it brings hope to many on here. People are looking for hope for there babies. It will be very interesting indeed to hear about this journey. I am just glad something is being done to stop this disease. Blessings
Patti

This is a forum that is known for having some firsts, first surgery on pituitary, first with radiation treatments etc and those that come after learn so much and gain hope from these experiences. Buttercup will be right up there leading the way.
Most vets tell owners of any dog diagnosed with cushings, that the life expectancy is 2 years, and we have proven them wrong, over and over again here. So, I don't know if there is any way to know for sure what the future will bring.
I think that this is very exciting though and I hope that the single treatment will do the trick and leave her with her eyesight too.
We'll all be anxious to hear all about it too.

hugs! You are doing such an awesome job
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Wow:eek:, what a whirl wind day. Meet with the oncology and rad. dept. today.
They have changed how they do the treatment the last couple years.
She will have 3 consecutive treatment 11-25,26,27. they have seen better results by breaking it down to 3, they can get a larger dose:D of radiation into the tumor by 1/3;). When they were doing the single dose(which was the equivalent of the traditional) they were not getting the reduction that they were looking for( reductions was comparison to traditional treatment) They are striving for maximum reduction.:D:D
She will have the CS done wed the 20th then the physicist will build a model of her from that image and will use that to do the trail runs and get the system completely dialed in just for her, that will take a couple of days to complete, then Monday the 25th we begin.
She was seen by just about every dept. there.
Neurology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, radiology, oncology, dermatology, and a host of students, residents and so on.
They do not want to start meds for the Cushing till after treatment because there will be some minor swelling from the radiation. If we reduce the hormone now and then need to put her on steroid for the inflammation the balance will be way off. She is of course producing plenty. They gave me Tramadol to ease any discomfort she has and
Simplicef (antibiotic) for the skin and some artificial eye drops to her
keep her eyes moist(ducts are slow at producing tears).
I did ask them about her adrenal and the possibility of adrenal exhaust. They did not see any abnormalities, no atrophy or anything else. Was concerned because the pit. has been whipping the heck out of it with the constant demand to constantly work 24-7.
Will get with vet for the DMSO for the skin. She is resting peacefully by me side.
Oh by the way I got the same 2year speech also so come on Miss Butters lets prove them wrong!!!!!!!!!

Oh here's more info. less the 10 percent will experience side effect and of the 10 percent only a few really got sick, no deaths. Dogs really do well going through the process.
On average they see tumor reduction around 40% by month 2, and then gradual reduction for another 4 to 6 months. Each case is different of course. Tumor will never disappear.
Not sure if I told you that the tumor is 2.5cm.it has risen out of the "saddle" by 1.5cm and is bleeding/seeping

Dawn:
I am so waiting to hear about this journey as it may mean hope for many dogs who otherwise had none. Blessings
Patti

You are so BRAVE! I pray this procedure works perfectly for our Buttercup and that she blows that 2 year prognosis out of the water!

Keep in touch and let us know how things are progressing. In 9 days, huh? Goodness, I'd be a basket case! :o:p Of course, I crawl in that basket over diarrhea so.... :D

Please keep in touch, we are all here with you.

Well, 2.5cm and bleeding weeping, that tumor definitely needs to be taken care of. If 3 gives better results than 1 treatment, then that is the way to go. I'm really glad that you have a great team working for Miss Buttercup and it sounds like they have a plan and experience to back that plan up.

How are You doing? This is quite the process and your nerves and emotions are likely to be all over the place. Do you have someone that can come in and hang out with you for a bit, maybe stay over night? A friend, family member? Are you traveling back and forth or staying there for the whole time?

We are not just pet focused but also, owner focused around this joint. So remember to take care of yourself though this too.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

No Sharlene I am by myself up here, but not alone for I have all of you and thanks god for that. Nerves are as raw as her skin really struggling not to cry all the time and that's hard when I'm alone. These last 4 days up here at Davis by myself has been like a double edged knife cutting at every turn.
Using my anger to fortify the fortress that will keep me sane and focused. I am all she has and I must muster up all my resources and continue marching forward no mater how painful it is on me she is all that matter.
Friends have said to me you need to relax and get some rest and my response to them is " I will get plenty of rest when I am DEAD" not wasting any time. Time is all I have and must spend it wisely. Once spent you never get it back!!!!
As always thank you for being concerned for mom:p

If I did not know any better I would have thought I wrote this as you sound just like me!! We are all with you in spirit, we all walk this journey together. I am so thankful for this forum as I don't want to think of what would have happened had I not found it. Blessings
Patti

Okay, we will be geared up to keep you company then. :) No being alone, we are all here and everyone pops in and out at all hours too. So, you never know who will show up, when. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

We are finally back home and she is resting in her comfy bed. Tying up some loose ends then going to bed. Need to recharge my battery if ya know what I mean;)

Hope you recharge the batteries this weekend!:):):)

Have a wonderful, relaxing night :-) hugs sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Dawn

I just wanted to reiterate what Sharlene said about never being alone, I am in the uk so I am usually about weird hours.

I lost my little girl in Feb to a macro because the only treatment we have here is 12 radiations and she would have had to have anaesthetic and it would have been over 6 months. My girl had cc twice so I know first hand how difficult that condition is. We cleared it up but it came back a couple of years later when her tumour had grown.

I will be here holding your hand, willing you and your girl on as will all the other members, we are close on this forum, no judging just lots of love and support.

Big hug to you and big kisses to your girlie

Mel, Boyce and my Angel Princess Tia
Xxxx
Xxxxxx

Take a good rest and feel better. We are all here for you now and will walk with you along this journey. try to take care of yourself this weekend and recuperate. Blessings
Patti

Good morning everyone,
Poor Butters has 2 accidents in the house, this bladder issue has really picked up the pace real fast.
Taking a quick break from work to pop in and say hello, yes I know
back to work already, gotta keep the cash flowing in for her. Recharged my battery last night, napped for 2 hours till time for her
meds. Then left daddy in charge and went back to bed, slept for a good 6 hours before instinks kicked in took her out then tossed & turned, my mind was fully awake and going through the list of things that still needed to be done. So I heck I just got up and was at work
by 6 am.
I am in the automotive industry, my main Dealership is Sunnyvale Ford, have been with them 19 yrs. I am the factory/warranty claims
admin. I also am the warr. admin at 3 other dealers Towne Ford, Towne Mazda & Hopkins Acura. The great thing about my jobs is that I can work remote if I need to or go in at any hour. They all have been very supportive, They all know & love our Miss Butters.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday,
Dawn & Miss Butters

I am so glad you have supportive employers as that will take you and Buttercup a long way.

I'm so glad that you have supportive employers and can work remotely. That makes such a difference.

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Well this cushing's is something else. She did not even get out of her bed while I was cooking bacon :(which is 1 of her favorite thing. Normally she would be at my feet just waiting for a taste.:p
Built a blockade to keep her in the family/kitchen room which is all hard wood floor and is easier to clean, so that when daddy is sleeping on the couch dosnt hear her, she won't be able to come looking for me and have a accident:eek: on the bed room carpet. Purchased wee pads she has a tendency to have an accident in front of the fridge so I will place them there just in case.
But of course when its my turn to sleep on the couch I' ll every breath/snort she makes all night long:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dawn Anderson

But of course when its my turn to sleep on the couch I' ll every breath/snort she makes all night long:D

---

Of course! :D:D

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

So nice to hear that you have an employer that understands about your baby. That makes for a lot less stress. Hoping things are going well. Blessings
Patti

Ok another ?, with the calcification of her skin ,is her body robing it from her bones. Even though she is sturdy now will it effect her structure in the future? Not finding much info on that subject.

Hi Dawn,

My understanding of CC is that the body is producing EXCESS calcium as a result of a hormonal steroid, cortisol in the case of a cush pup, that is deposited in the skin. The calcium in the skin is not being drawn from the bone but is excess calcium that the body cannot process correctly and is deposited in the organ, skin.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Glad Leslie explained that as I did not know where that came from either. How is Buttercup this morning? Hope all is well. Blessings
Patti

Wow, thanks Leslie, was a little concerned. Dogs truely are amazing:p. We have to take supplements to help support our levels if we do not get
enough through our diets.:D
Both daddy & I had to work yesterday so I got her dressed in a tee and then put her blanket cover on her over the tee so that she wouldnt get cold. When I got home not only did she have her blanket cover off she also got her tee off. I opened the door & there she was with a silly look on her face & the tee on the step next to her.:p
She is doing as well as can be, no scratching but I know she is itchy because she shakes more then usual.
Tomorrow we go back to Davis for the CS, wish they could have done that last friday, but they were all booked up. Want to get this tumor zapped ASAP and having to wait till the 25th seems so far into the future. But it will be here in a blink of an eye. Hate knowing that its in there growing:mad:

Momma is not happy!:mad: just got home from work and found her in the garage with no tee on and and the side door close that leads to the back yard( she has a doggie door but with all the skin isssues I keep it open so it does not against her ) was closed:mad: Daddy stayed home today waiting for the plumber to come fix the kitchen faucet but isn't here, sink not fixed and faucet missing no note left letting me know what going on. AND NOTICED THAT SHE HAD BEEN SCRATCHING HERSELF:mad:, some spots the blood was dried and dark and another was fresh.:mad:
How many times do I have to tell him that she is counting on us to protect her, even if it is from herself:( I've told him this twice) :mad:
He must have needed to get a new faucet or something and he was lucky he wasn't here when I saw what she did to herself :mad: blood is boiling:mad:
Got her all cleaned up and applied neosporin gave her some chicken and love:p
Just starting to come down from the adrenalin rush, think it time for some oreo's;)
Had to get that off my chest.
Great just got off the phone with him, when the plumber was removing the faucet he broke it:mad: now daddy is trying to track down 1 that will work, apparently the style we have which was popular is no longer:mad: he's trying every hardware and plumbing store around , he better come up with something!!!!!!!!
I have to have a sink!!!!!:mad:

Yep, hubby better come home with the perfect faucet and get it installed asap. He might want to look at some dog houses while he's out and about - he may need one tonight! :D

Help,.was can I put on her fresh scratches that would sooth them, they have got to be burning. Dry cold compresses, wet cold compresses what's best since they are still bloody:(

I wouldn't use any heat on them. Do you have any tea? Green is best but regular tea will work, too. Make a tea, let it cool, then dab the areas that are bleeding. The tea may help them stop bleeding and dry them up a bit...and shouldn't hurt her. If you don't have any tea, then a cool wet cloth on the spots may be soothing but I would try to let them dry and keep them covered so she can't lick or scratch them. Bless her heart. :(

Oh poor Buttercup! That must feel awful. I'd try the tea, chamomile would work too don't you think Leslie? Try it all over her, just press the cold tea against her skin, it might help with the itchiness too.

Hope he found a faucet! I laughed when I read Leslie's comment about the dog house.

hugs,
sharlene and molly muffin

Yeah, Chamomile would help but most folks don't have that handy while they do regular tea. At lease here in the South no self-respecting house is tealess! :D

I always have a ton of different teas in the house. A good black tea for brewing ice tea is a staple of course. Hello, mom from Missouri and dad from southern Illinois! LOL But I have green teas and camomile and peppermints and oolong and chai too. Never know what one might have a hankering for. Camomile though is good to have if you have an itchy dog in the house. If you don't have some pick it up tomorrow and try it out.

hugs,
sharlene and molly muffin

Green tea is brewing, applied a cool wet cloth and a ice pack on the cloth to cool down her skin till the tea is done and out of the freezer.
He did find a faucet and is working on it now. Father inlaw on his way over to help and the plumber is also on his way back .:)
I can tell she is in pain by they way her lower lids are drooping, gave her a full does of pain meds, normally I only give 25mg be cause she is so sensitive (vet said if she appears to be in a lot of pain that its ok to give her 50 mg)
Our poor girl:(
Thanks again, you guys are the best;)

oh good Dawn. Hope it works, if not, try the chamamile, which is known for it's soothing, calming properties. yes I've put it on myself before too. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Poor Buttercup, that sounds just awful.
Green tea works for so many things and it's safe thankfully.
I hope that it helps quickly!

How is Buttercup doing this morning?