Blue, 6 1/2 yr old, Lyso, Calcinosis cutis (Blue is at peace)

[Harley PoMMom]

Regarding the CC, although I have no experience dealing with CC we do have members that are and from reading about their CC journey one needs to get that post cortisol number down to least 5 ug/dl.

With the Lysodren protocol Blue is on I really don't believe his post cortisol will be able to drop to that lower level that is required to gain control of the CC.

As Marianne has mentioned generally with Lysoden there is a loading phase and once that is achieved it is then followed with a maintenance regimen. Here's a handy a link from our Resource Forum that has information regarding Lysodren: Lysodren loading Instructions and related tips

And, unfortunately even with treatment, is does seem that the CC gets worse before it gets better.

I am also posting a link to another members thread, Renee, who I consider our Resident CC expert: My girl pug (confirmed Cushings & confirmed calcinosis cutis) / Introduction Her thread is filled with information pertaining to CC.

Hugs, Lori

[Renee]

Hi and welcome. I am so sorry that you are dealing with CC. My pug was first diagnosed with CC in Oct of 2013. Before it was all said and done, she had open lesions from the top of her head to the base of her tail. She is now what I would call in 'remission'.

First, I'll just put this right out there - there is NO cure for CC other than bring the cortisol into proper therapeutic range and keeping it there long term. The proper range is a post of below 5 ug/dl. And, when I say long-term, I mean staying in range for months or for life. My pug stopped her meds for about a month during a bout of pancreatitis. In just 3 weeks, I saw lesions recurring.

There are things you can and should do to help manage the CC, but none of these items will cure it. They can help, that is all.

CC lesions are very susceptible to secondary infection, so I do suggest you run a course of abx on occasion, especially if things are looking particularly bad. In combination with the abx, I also suggest you add a high quality probiotic.

I did use tramadol for pain, as needed. I think they are painful. Or, at least they were painful for my pug.

You may be told that DMSO is a treatment. My personal belief is that it does nothing and is an outdated treatment. But, that is only my opinion, and there are those that have reported good results using DMSO. It will not cure the CC though, so don't think it will. It smells horrific and you'll need to wear gloves when using it. I used it on my pug for about 2 weeks then stopped. I could see it was doing nothing but making her uncomfortable and making my other pugs treat her like she had leprosy.

What I did find helpful for topical treatment was using tea compresses. Not tea tree oil! Just tea bags, like lipton or chamomile tea. I did clip the hair around the areas as well, to keep them open and exposed to air, and I did peal away the scabs that were ready to come off, otherwise they just rotted over the skin. I never covered the lesions up, although I understand covering them may be necessary to prevent your dog from itching them.

Another CC mom, Dawn, had success using a spray she purchased on amazon. I cannot recall the name, something like cetochlor? I think this helped keep infection down.

Some people have used weekly medicated baths. I'm not opposed to this. My personal choice was not to bathe my pug until her lesions were in a significant stage of improvement. I didn't think the sores needed anymore moisture and I didn't want anything else topical on them to irritate the skin more.

I actually think some time in the ocean may not be a bad idea, especially if the sores are crusty right now. If they are open and oozing, then I would not recommend it.

The lesions will bleed, crack, ooze, peel away, look raw and angry, then eventually start to dry out. When they begin to flake and dry out, I believe they are on their way to getting better. Also, keep in mind, they will get worse before getting better, and even as you bring the cortisol down, the lesions that are below the surface will continue to bust through and break open. This went on for about 6 months for us. Hopefully they will not be as angry as the ones that you may be dealing with now though.

Sorry I've typed so much. I'm working a lot right now, so I am not on all the time, but I always watch the CC threads.

[Blues people]

Thank you both for your quick response. I am going to go over the loading protocols you posted w/ my husband and vet and see what we can agree on. If I calculated his weight/dose correctly he would be as follows;
85 lbs = 38.63 kg.
38.63 kg x 50 mg. = 1931.5
1931.5 / by 2 = 965.72
So he would need almost 1000 mg twice a day for 8 days.
I am terrible at math - so if this doesn't seem likely , I'd appreciate being corrected! Lol.
In the meantime , I will work on cleaning up his cc lesions as you suggested.

[Blues people]

I have added 2 pictures in album to show 2 of his lesions. Any ideas ? Ty Joan

[Squirt's Mom]

Your math is right but unfortunately your vet is not. Lori has described the correct way to use Lysodren. The loading period is crucial and Blue will take forever to load, if he ever does, using this weird method. I would do more than "talk" to my vet - I would tell them how this is supposed to be done - and do it the correct way. You are Blues ONLY voice and if you don't speak up on his behalf, no one will. With CC in the mix, it is critical to get that cortisol under control and keep it there.

[molly muffin]

Leslie is familiar with the loading procedures for lysodren and maintenance.
I do know that those who are dealing with cc have reported it is important to get that post ACTH number down to just under 5.0ug and keep it there and then let the calcium deposits cycle through to get rid of it.
Keeping the sores dry enough that they can weep it out and then heal is important.

[pansywags]

Another CC mom, Dawn, had success using a spray she purchased on amazon. I cannot recall the name, something like cetochlor? I think this helped keep infection down.

The chlorhexidine spray is called Trizchlor - UC Davis also recommended it for Pansy who had a less severe case of cc. It is easy to apply (just a light misting) and smells nice.

http://www.amazon.com/TrizCHLOR-Spra.../dp/B0035176N0

[Renee]

The chlorhexidine spray is called Trizchlor - UC Davis also recommended it for Pansy who had a less severe case of cc. It is easy to apply (just a light misting) and smells nice.

http://www.amazon.com/TrizCHLOR-Spra.../dp/B0035176N0

Thank you!! I knew it was something like that! I will try and remember the name so I can add it to the arsenal, lol.

[Harley PoMMom]

If I calculated his weight/dose correctly he would be as follows;
85 lbs = 38.63 kg.
38.63 kg x 50 mg. = 1931.5
1931.5 / by 2 = 965.72
So he would need almost 1000 mg twice a day for 8 days.

Yep, that Lysodren dose is correct, however, there is no set time-frame for loading. All dogs are different so it may take one day or a total of 10 for a dog to load.

Now, according to the Lysodren protocol:

Because of the potency of Lysodren, the veterinarian is encouraged not to rely on the instructions given to an owner. Never provide the owner with more than 8 days of Lysodren, initially.

With Lysodren usually the appetite is a good gauge for when the dog is loaded, any slight hesitation or pause to eat can mean a dog is loaded and an ACTH stimulation test should be performed.

I know it seems confusing, and trust me you will get the hang of things, and remember we are here to help.

Hugs, Lori

[Blues people]

Thank you- Renee , if you could look at pics I added of Blues CC and let me know what you think, I'd appreciate it. Any one else also. His shoulder seems to be better than it starts bleeding again. Heading to vet for some antibiotic powder - not sure on name.
Today isn't a good day, panting a lot- so I am assuming he's hurting. He also developed a slight limp in his front leg last night, but I think it's all CC related because it's that shoulder that's bleeding. He may have slept wrong to compensate . And a little spacey too. Circling has lessened , but he's not wanting to go out. Gave him some yogurt w probiotic as I noticed he was having trouble - straining to go . Praying it's not a new issue.
Thanks again, Joan