French bulldog w calcinosis cutis - Qs on Cushings diagnosis & treatment

Thanks, all. The IMS didn't think the diarrhea was related but he told me to continue to monitor her closely (thankfully I work from home). She's actually been perfectly ok today, so he ok'd me moving forward with a very late breakfast (think brunch) including all of her meds. She hasn't pooped at all today despite our many trips outside (and despite the freaking SNOW outside) and she is still eager for food and gladly accepting treats (still drinking lots of water).

So, with day 6 of trilostane nearly over, I just gave her another medicated bath with the trizchlor which I've been doing about once to twice per week in addition to the trizchlor spray and other ointments which I do daily. I don't know who the baths and ointment applications are more painful for, her or me. I'm sure it's not helping her cortisol levels at all, particularly the baths since we need the shampoo to stay on her for about 5-10 minutes. And, her CC continues to spread - I can really see it best in spots where she hasn't been shaved yet while I bathe her.

I really hope this minor bout of diarrhea last night was nothing and that the trilostane will begin to kick in soon to help improve or at least prevent further spread of the CC. I have a check in appointment with the dermatologist on Thursday to see if we should switch / add DMSO. I will also look into the cold laser therapy, thank you for that suggestion.

The CC will get worse before it gets better, and it goes through some very nasty stages. It seems the worst part, before I saw improvement, was when the large scabs would peel away and the skin underneath was very raw like it was recovering from a burn. After we got through that stage, the cortisol was low enough (not in therapeutic range, but lower) that the sores began to dry out more. Even as it was healing up, new spots were coming up too, but I believe the seeds for those spots were already planted while the cortisol was higher and they just needed to run their course.

Thanks, Renee. That's what her CC is like now - big scab, portions of which are crumbling off (helped by the baths), with angry raw red skin beneath. The spots that are spreading thankfully aren't oozing anything, they are just red and puffy. I really hope those don't become gooey, but I am preparing myself if they do. Renee, did all of the new spots turn oozy for you or just some?

The worse spots, when her cortisol was not controlled as well, were very angry, raw, red and oozy. :( So heartbreaking. There are some pictures of them in my album. The newer lesions, which popped up after her treatment was started, were less angry and seemed to stay drier. They aren't healing any quicker, but they also aren't nearly as bad as the others.

I didn't bathe Tobey a lot when her CC was bad, because I didn't want to get them wet. I don't know if that is right or wrong, I just didn't want them wet. Personal choice.

Your pug is the cutest thing, Renee. Thanks for posting all of those pictures.

Good news, no more diarrhea, just some soft poop! What a relief!

Yeah!!!!!!!!! Better Poops!!!!!!!!!!!

Soft poops over diarrhea we'll take! :)

Might have been an upset tummy. The cortisol dropping can make them feel yucky. Some dogs get an upset tummy from the medication. (you can try pepcid ac about 30 minutes before to see if that helps)

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Checking in on Lola to see how the poop are? Hope she improves. Blessings
Patti

You're so sweet, thanks for checking in Patti!

Still soft poops, no diarrhea, but she had a bit of fresh blood in both of her poops yesterday. This happened once before about 3 weeks ago - my regular vet didn't seem too concerned about it and it went away the next day. I'm not sure if this is related to the Cushing's or something else. Has anyone seen this in their dog's stool?

We are going to the dermatology specialist today for a check in and I spoke with the IMS folks who are in the same building - I'll be bringing them a stool sample for them to check out.

Incidentally, late yesterday I saw the pet insurance submission my IMS's office made and they listed a few things that I hadn't heard directly from my IMS, which is concerning (!):

• Cushings disease - known to me
• Calcinosis cutis - known to me
• Pyoderma - known to me
• Small pancreatic nodule - He did mention this to me from the ultrasound, but said he wasn't concerned.
• Mild left renolithiasis - This wasn't discussed...not sure if I should be concerned here! I will be following up on this!
• Elevated liver enzymes - Presumably this is related to Cushing's?
• Hypercholesterinemia - This wasn't discussed, is this something I should be concerned about? Look like high cholesterol in her blood based on my google search. I will be following up on this too!

I'm going to ask about these things when I stop by the IMS office today...