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Thread: Linus - 3year old Labradoodle

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    1

    Default Linus - 3year old Labradoodle

    Hi everyone,

    I adopted Linus and his sister, Lucy, in June of 2012 from a shelter. Told they were Labradoodles (smaller) and so adorable!

    My little Linus started having problems in April. Went from a healthy weight of 34 lbs. down to 25 lbs. and refusing food. Started out with his regular vet who noticed yellow in his eyes. Hospitalized and Tests confirmed liver problem. Gave him some meds but wasn't aggressive with treatment.

    So I found an AVIM specialist. She did a biopsy and Linus was in the hospital for several days on IVs. More tests and he was diagnosed with hepatitis. Started to improve, then stopped eating again, so back in the hospital. Now he had pancreatitis too.

    I don't have his lab values. I'll get them on my next visit. Do remember that bilirubin was very high.

    Prescribed following meds: Denamarin, prednisone, metronidazole, Clavamox, chlorambucil, actigall and Prilosec.

    Now he has gained weight and lab values are greatly improved. Then 2 weeks ago I noticed a strange patch of skin on his back between the shoulder blades. Vet did a biopsy and it was calcinosis cutis. Vet has reduced prednisone to 1/4 tablet.

    So now we don't know if this was brought on by the prednisone or if it's a precursor to more issues.

    At this point I've spent about $13,000 of my retirement money. How could I not? He's only 3.

    Anyone else encounter anything similar?

    BTW, I had a Schnoodle who had Cushings that made her last years miserable. We had to put her down in Aug. of 2010 on her 16th birthday.

    Glad I found you all.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    15,292

    Default Re: Linus - 3year old Labradoodle

    Welcome to you and Linus, and Lucy, too!

    Sorry that I have only a few moments to post this morning, so I have just enough time for a couple of quick questions right now. For how long a time has Linus been taking the prednisone, and at what dose (prednisone tablets come in varying strengths)? And what condition was being treated by the prednisone?

    The short answer is that, yes, calcinosis cutis can definitely be caused by prednisone treatment. So until proven otherwise, that would seem to be the more likely culprit than Cushing's. I'm assuming your vet is now starting to wean Linus off the prednisone. If the prednisone is the cause, once he is prednisone-free, the skin issue should begin to resolve.

    Marianne

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