calcinosis cutis

Re: calcinosis cutis

Sal the 1st — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:39:34 GMT

update - the dog is now deceased

Re: calcinosis cutis

Sal the 1st — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:47:19 GMT

dog has had regular bloods and nurse has been told by her vs that is well managed at the moment. lesions started @ 3 weeks ago, last bloods were 2 weeks ago and were taken early because of the skin (was being done monthly). She has mentioned PTS to her vs but from what I have been told the vs is of the opinion that as the dog is happy it might be a bit premature to call time. She was prepared for PTS on Monday but was advised not to make a hasty decision. Swabs have been taken to rule out secondary infection but no result yet. I have taken a couple of tape strips today and there is malassezia present. Although the dog does appear to be bright and cheerful (well normal for this dog) and doesnt seem to be bothered with its skin I dont see how it can be comfortable with so many raw areas?

She is in a bit of a predicament at the moment she doesnt want to insist on PTS and have her boss think she hasnt tried with her dog, but she doesnt want the dog to be uncomfortable either - have suggested it might be a bit easier for her to use another vet for the PTS but then she is worried about what she will say when her vet asks her how the dog is and doesnt want her boss to think she has gone behind their back. On top of this she is also upset that she will be losing the dog

Re: calcinosis cutis

loobylou — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:36:07 GMT

Ive seen this once but was in a 5 month old english setter puppy.
Started off on a front paw as a swelling and was investigated for a foreign body. Had infected sinus tract and lots of swelling and was very uncomfortable. Think the dog had two procedures, one was explorative, the other was to try and excise the calcium deposits. It took a long tme to heal and lots of bandages etc. Im pretty sure it did fully resolve after many months but unfortunately, due to lack of funds the client finished the treatment elsewhere.

Re: calcinosis cutis

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:28:59 GMT

[quote user="Freckle"]Sorry - I have never heard of calcinosis cutis. Is it painful?[/quote]

If seen in dogs, it is almost always pathognomic for cushings. It seems to be pretty uncomfortable!

Re: calcinosis cutis

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:25:57 GMT

Unfortunately, once the calcium deposits are in the skin there's nothing that will get rid of them. Surgical excision is curative if the lesions are small or localised but doesn't sound like an option in this case.

My main concern is that you've said the lesions have only started recently and are now spreading. If the cushings is well controlled then this condition shouldn't develop really - so I'd be rechecking bloods. Otherwise, make sure that there isn't an infection making it worse.

Re: calcinosis cutis

Freckle — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:24:10 GMT

Sorry - I have never heard of calcinosis cutis. Is it painful? I had a quick google and it certainly looks painful!

No help I'm afraid, but googled it and found this link (human):

http://sclero.org/medical/symptoms/skin/calcinosis.html