Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I got a phone call from Rio's oncologist confirming that the "rash" on Rio's back is actually a rare side effect of the Cushings disease/Prednisone double-whammy called calcinosis cutis. This is actually the FIRST time her oncologist has ever dealt with this sort of thing, so she's really not an expert on the subject.
I held off on giving her her chemo this week because I wanted time to do a bit more research, although her blood work is well within an acceptable range. I'm just looking for any/all information I can get on dealing with treating the skin thing in conjunction with the cancer.... They're recommending DMSO, applying to no more than 1/4 of her body at a time. Not sure how many times a day.
Help???? Anybody????
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Oh Rio! That sounds awful!
I don't know anything about it but is DSMO safe? I didn't think it was very safe but I could be wrong.
I found this article on Calinosis Cutis that mentions cancer in the article:
http://www.fetc.....R000010535
and here:
http://www.vetc.....0Cutis.pdf
The most common cause of metastatic calcinosis cutis in dogs is overproduction of adrenal
hormones (corticosteroids or “steroids”). This may be
due to overgrowth or cancer of the adrenal glands, or
of the pituitary, the gland that controls the adrenals.
Some cases are due to therapeutic use of steroid
hormones to control other diseases, particularly
pruritic (itchy) skin diseases and arthritic pain. Some
dogs are more susceptible to the effects of excess
steroid hormones than others.
I sure hope none of this applies to Rio but I thought you'd want to read up as much as you can.
Keep us posted and maybe someone who knows will chime in.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thanks, Comet's mom,
I found both of those same sites, as well as a few others, and was equally unnerved by the mention of cancer in the articles. I asked the oncologist about this, and she said that more often than not, the tumors in the pituitary or adrenal system are benign. Granted, we're still talking about odds -- some are and some aren't -- but I'm trying to think positive here.
We knew going into this latest cancer drama that there was every likelihood that Rio had Cushings in addition to the Mast Cell, as the numbers in her "senior screen" panel (that we did at the same time as her fine needle aspirate for the leg lump) suggested this. We felt it was more important to get on top of the Mast Cell cancer first, and then revisit the Cushings, so we proceeded with the amputation and follow-up chemo. I was very concerned about adding Prednisone to the drug mix that Rio was on for chemo, but the doctor assured me that we needed to do it. I just wish now that I'd listened to my better judgement. Just in the past two months, her one adrenal gland has visibly enlarged because of the Prednisone, and her (suspected) Cushings has gotten significantly worse.
I don't know a lot about DMSO, either. Been doing a bit of poking around online, but there's not a whole lot of info out there in regards to treating calcinosis cutis. The articles I did find suggested that it was only moderately effective, and conversations with the Dr. left unanswered questions as well:
1. DMSO is typically mixed with other medications and applied topically. This readily allows those other meds to be absorbed through the skin. Should I be worried about other environmental agents being absorbed into her skin, as well????
2. If it is mobilizing the calcium deposits, what else is being "mobilized?" Is this going to affect how the chemo works? Is this going to affect her ability to absorb the nutrients in her food?
3. Is this treatment going to affect yet another set of side effects in this poor pup? She's already got full-blown symptoms from the Cushings. She's not a spring chicken, and she's already undergoing chemotherapy. Do I really want to dump one more thing on her poor overloaded immune system? Or by not treating the skin thing, am I subjecting her to more of a prolonged recovery period from this problem????
Meanwhile, I'm also debating whether to give her this week's chemo as well.... I know that it's gonna kick her butt, cuz it always does, so I'm reluctant to do it.... 
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Oh my gosh I wish I knew something about this. Unfortunately you're the first one here to cope with it. I'm going to alert Dr. Chretin, our favorite oncologist from VCA Animal Hospital West Los Angeles, and ask him if he can provide feedback. He's super smart and well-acquainted with many different cancer conditions, so I'm betting he'll have some words of wisdom. He's also a busy dude but hopefully he can check in here soon. Stay tuned and hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you, thank you! Yeah my vet has never dealt with this either.... Apparently its a relatively rare condition.
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I used DMSO on my horse for years to reduce swelling/heat in her legs after competition. If you do use it…..WEAR THICK RUBBER/NITRILE GLOVES WHEN APPLYING. This stuff worked great on horses but it immediately absorbs into skin and smells like bad garlic. (My friend who is a marathon runner said that they use it on themselves- the garlicky smell gives them garlicky breath for days)
I would clarify with your vet the exact number of times to apply it. Make sure you buy pharmacutical grade instead of commercial grade DMSO.
I think I read somewhere that they found it kills off free radicals- not sure if there is any fact to that
Should I be worried about other environmental agents being absorbed into her skin, as well???? It dries relatively fast, just do it inside someplace clean and dry and keep Rio inside for a while. You wouldn't want her out on a pesticide treated lawn immediately (or anytime for that matter). Like I said, used it for years and yes my horse was 1200 lbs and not fighting cancer but DMSO has been around for quite awhile.
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Looks like DMSO is available as a liquid or gel, here's some details we found...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You may have already found this but here is an article on Calc. Cutis and the use of DMSO (page 5)
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
I hadn't read this one, Samson. Thanks for finding it for me! I will read through it tomorrow when I'm not so tired and can understand all the science stuff in it...
Thanks again for your help!
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
I have only treated a few dogs with calcinosis cutis and in all of the cases the deposits resolved once the Cushings Disease was under control. This can take up to 6 months depending on the dog. I did not use DMSO but this compound is safe and is often given IV for neuro problems. The reason you have to wear gloves is so you don't absorb the medication through your skin and get a yucky garlic taste in your mouth.
It sounds like your dog has Pituitary Cushings because the abdominal ultrasound would have showed an adrenal tumor. It did not help that your dog had to have Prednisone for her cancer since that sent the Cushings into overdrive. Is she on any treatment for the Cushings? Some treatments such as Lysodren (mitotane) work well but can have serious side effects so they may be avoiding those right now due to cancer treatment.
Have you considered holistic treatment for the Cushings? I really like Dr Patti Schaeffer and have used her for my own dogs.
Pam
Oh my gosh, I am so interested in finding out more about how to treat this calcinosis cutis. My old english bulldog has just been tentatively diagnosed with this and has large lesions between his shoulder blades and on his neck. Poor guy. We are currently awaiting biopsy results and suspect this is iatrogenic, as he has been on prednisone (although a relatively low dose) for over a year. I'm just hoping that it will go away after stopping pred. It is miserable for doggies and their owners. The one thing I do know is that you need to be very diligent in watching for secondary infections, since the calcinosis cutis causes open sores and a portal for infection....especially with your pup being on chemo too. The corticosteroids can have some really nasty side effects 🙁 If you all have any recommendations for dietary modifications that may help to resolve this calcinosis, please do share!!
BullyMom said:
If you all have any recommendations for dietary modifications that may help...
No personal experience dealing with calcinosis, but you will find plenty of healthy dog diets especially tailored for canine cancer in the Tripawds Nutrition blog.
FYI: Unless you register for these forums, your posts will continue to require moderation.
Best wishes for your pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
tazziedog said:
Have you considered holistic treatment for the Cushings? I really like Dr Patti Schaeffer and have used her for my own dogs.
I'm very interested in more of a holistic method of treatment -- I feel like I'm already dumping enough chemicals into Rio's system. Where is Dr. Schaeffer located?
Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
riosmom said:
Where is Dr. Schaeffer located?
Don't know about Dr. Schaeffer, but holistic veterinarian Dr. Charles Loops consults long distance with various Tripawds members.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She works out of Tacoma, Olympia, and Kent. Her phone number is 360-923-5759. Her website address is http://www.cani.....ort.com. You will need to get a copy of labwork, etc so that she is up to speed on the case.
Pam
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