Bad case of calcinosis cutis

[admin]

Hi Devin

What a really horrible fright for you – I am always absolutely terrified of this happening to any of our dogs or cats as it can be a serious scenario. Thank goodness you realised & found out quickly what was happening & Jackson is feeling better now. It really does go to highlight how careful we have to be with reductions.

Brilliant news on his skin though – he must be feeling more comfortable & I bet your nose is thankful too. But we love them just the same if they smell or if they don’t smell! Hope the blood test results will be fine – let us know when you can. In the meantime, sending loads of cuddles from our house to yours,

Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[admin]

Hi Devin

Lovely to hear how well Jackson is doing. I’m sorry you had such a horrible scare, but it sounds like things are back on track and will keep everything crossed for some good results.

Much love,

Mary & Mable x

[admin]

Hi Devin. I am sorry you had to go through this but it sounds like you were right there and got things going in the direction for a fast recovery. Way to catch it and be on top of things!!! You’re a wonderful fur-mom Devin. Jackson is one lucky boy.

Keep up the GREAT diligence for a healthy Jackson and please keep us posted. So glad to hear he’s playing and getting right back to being his feisty self again. :)

Sending our love and huge hugs, Linda and Sadie

[Devin]

Thank you all for the kind words! Jacksons PCV was still holding steady at around 40 so we reduced his Prednisone to 17.5mg. We probably won’t be dropping his Pred by more than 2.5mg each time anymore so it will take us much longer to get him completely off, but he doesn’t seem to be having side effects as bad this time.

I am very pleased with how he has been doing the past 2 weeks and am hopeful for the future! Thank you for letting me share his updates and being a great source of support.

Devin & Jackson

[Pam]

My dog, Ella, was diagnosed with IMHA in February, 2015. As a result of heavy prednisone dosing she developed every side effect imaginable including massive areas of calcinosis cutis. I would guess this “calcium skin” covers 80% of her body.
The calcinosis did not begin to subside until Ella was off prednisone entirely.
We took Ella to a veterinary dermatologist for help. Ella was initially started on an oral antibiotic because as the skin crusts loosened they left behind tiny open wounds. We also gave Ella weekly baths using chlorhexidine shampoo from the dermatologist.
Now, almost 7 months from diagnosis, Ella’s fur loss is resolving and her skin is no longer shedding bits of crust. However, her skin is still very discolored and very lumpy and bumpy. The dermatologist feels Ella will have remnants of calcinosis cutis for the rest of her life.
Thankfully Ella wasn’t bothered by her skin issues. No itching and apparently no pain.

[admin]

Hi Pam,
I am glad Ella was not bothered by her bad skin. Dogs are so great at adapting to what ever hits them. Having calcinosis cutis for the rest of her life is probably not the worst thing that could happen to her, she is alive and has lots of quality of life! Now this is not scientific by any means, just my gut feeling. Have you ever checked Ella’s thyroid? If this were my dog I would consider doing a FULL thyroid panel. This would mean T4, free T4, T3, free T3, and TgAA. Hemolife does these tests. I know that if you just get a regular thyroid test, they usually come back normal while if you get a full panel they are low. Just a thought, maybe something to look into.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Hi Pam, I’m so glad Ella has recovered. Yes, we all hate prednisone and what it does, but it has saved our dog’s lives, so I guess we all came to the love/hate relationship with it.

Thanks for your post. It will always be there to give someone else hope.

Vally & Bingo (diag Nov 2011, in remission)

[admin]

Hi Pam

Really happy to hear Ella is doing so well. It is such a shame she’s had such bad calcinosis cutis problems with the prednisone. Sounds like she’s getting better & better though as you are giving her such great care – I’m sure other people will find what you’ve been doing very helpful if they have the same problem.

I think Brigitte’s advice on getting a thyroid panel done is a brilliant idea – you never know she might be low & need some thyroxine – skin problems are sometimes thyroid related too.

Sheena, Worzel (who still has lumps & bumps, plus black skin in the summer, pink in the winter!) & Ollie xxxx