Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Welcome Back Mary Beth,

Snoop had that big black bald spot on her nose. Not pimpley, but flat and shiney black and not a bit of hair. It has almost all grown back in now. Pictures on her "Food Change Progress" album. I also have been giving her Vetri-Science Oli-Vet 250mg. It is Olive Leaf Extract and is a natural antibiotic which supports immune response function and the L-Glutamine I told you about. Maybe the two have helped her with her pancreatitus and infections but she has not had any bouts and she is doing well.

Happy Belated B-day!

Rene & Snoop

I am a mess again. Alivia is still on antibiotics twice a day for what we thought was Pyoderma. The sores have improved but there are LOTS of black freckly patches where she has lost fur. She is VERY itchy. Leslie suggested I read about calcinosis cutis and after reading about it and looking at pictures, I am fairly certain that is what Alivia has. Her regular vet was not in today. I am waiting to hear back from her dermatologist's office - they were going to try to fit her in sometime soon. I took some pictures of Alivia's skin and posted them in an album here if anyone wants to take a look and comment.

I have Lysodren here and I am so tempted to start her on it now, but I guess I should wait until at least one of her vets sees her. Especially since my mind is not working properly at the moment and I can't even remember how to start the dosing! In some ways she seems better, but I am so worried about her and this latest issue.

Mary Beth, if you have read up on it and feel it is calcinosis cutis then get her into that dermatologist asap. I am no expert on it but from what I have read here the sooner you are on it the better the outcome. It can be very tough to get rid of. Hopefully someone with experience or greater knowledge will reply soon. Hugs, kim

Hi Mary Beth,

Im sorry your in this place right now. I hear what you are saying...Are the illnesses presenting as signs that she should be treated?...or...Are the illnesses preventing me from treating for a reason as a sign? Very tough place to be. Only you know what is best for Ali and you have trusted your gut before.

However, Don't do anything on your own. If you choose treatment for Ali you should be well informed and under the guidance of your vet. He or she should be aware you are loading so you can call with questions and concerns. This process will make you more knowledgable and comfortable during Ali's load.

Wether its Calcinosis Cutis or Pyoderma they both usually indicate underlying illnesses often adrenal in nature.

You can sort this out with a clear head tomorrow when hopefully you will hear back from the dermatologist's office and your vet will be avaiable.

I am certian I have not told you anything you already do not know. Relax and cuddle with Ali tonite and enjoy your girl. Get some rest, you have been a wonderful mom to her.

With much love,
Rene & Snoopie

Hi Mary Beth,
I went to look at the photos as I first thought it sounded like Zoe's skin but it is not the same. Sonja's Apollo just went throught some black spots, etc, and a skin infection. Check on her thread or PM her. I believe he got some time of shot. It may not be the same but ask her about it and have her look at the photos.

Please do not start any drug without working with a vet.

Hugs and love,
Addy

Well, I am actually feeling MUCH less panicked today. I have been bathing Alivia with Sulphadene every 2-3 days - it seems to help a lot with her itching and she is still on the antibiotic 2x a day. Last night I bathed her again and checked her skin very closely. There are no more crusty or bleedy areas and other than the black freckles it seems to be healing very well. I e-mailed her regular vet pictures of it (he's on vacation) and she has an appointment with her dermatologist on Wednesday, to be safe. But overall, she seems to be doing REALLY well. Her pot belly is completely gone and her belly fur is all of sudden growing back!! Her energy is much better. It is actually like she doesn't even have cushing's! Very strange!!! Anyway, I definitely would not start her on any treatment without further testing.

Hi Mary Beth,

I am so glad to hear that Ali is doing better and that her skin is looking a bit better. Hopefully, the derm doc will have a definitive answer and plan of action for you. Please keep in touch and let us know what you learn.

I had another thought - Squirt has sebaceus adenomas which look like very teeny volcanoes which will erupt with black crusty stuff and sometimes bleed. Once the eruption is past, they go back to pick volcanoes. Periodically they will burst with the crusty stuff but she doesn't itch and they don't seem to hurt. They do not look like freckles, tho. They are raised up from the surface of the skin. Once she started the Lyso maintenance, they have completely disappeared for the most part and the few that remain, don't erupt anymore that I have seen. I haven't heard nor read anything that says these are connected to Cushing's but this is how it has worked for Squirt. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks, Leslie.

No, that definitely does not sound at all like Alivia's. Her skin was really red under her fur, she had a few sores and she was definitiely in pain. She lost fur where the worst lesions were. Her regular vet said it was intermediate Pyoderma. Now where the sores have healed, she just has black freckle-like marks that are not at all raised up or seepy in any way. I posted pictures. I trust her regular vet, but having her dermatologist look at it and maybe biopsy it will make me feel much better (and hopefully Alivia, too!). ;) Other than being itchy, which may just be seasonal allergies that she tends to get, she seems REALLY good. Bathing her in the Sulphadene seems to help immensely - I just don't want to do it too often and cause problems drying her skin out! It's always something! At least I have it under control until I can talk to the dermatologist! I swear she is aging ME!:p

Hey Mary Beth and Alivia,
Just wanted to say hi and I am glad to hear Alivia's skin is doing better. You are a very strong woman and Alivia is so fortunate to have you as her mom. Her photos are so adorable - she must be the sweetest girl ever.
I haven't been on here, either lately. I had to give my poor brain a break from all this information. It's been overwhelming trying to take it all in.
Sassy is starting her 3rd week of Ketoconazole and so far, I don't think it has done one bit of good, but will wait to hear what the vet says when we go back next week.
Hope you have a good rest of the week/weekend :)

Thanks, Lauri. Good to hear from you! I do understand the need for a break. I have to do it myself sometimes. All the information about Cushing's can be really overwhelming to those of us newer to this. Good thing there are some really knowledgeable people here that are always available to help or just listen!

A few years ago - way before I ever heard of cushing's - Alivia was on Ketoconazole, with another med for skin problems that they thought was an allergy to something. She was on it for quite awhile and I didn't think it helped with that, either. I'm sorry it's not helping Sassy. I know you always hope the least scary things will work. Let me know what her vet says.

Thanks again for checking in!