Out of all the symptoms of Cushing’s disease, the most difficult to deal with is probably calcinosis cutis. If your dog has calcinosis cutis, you’ll notice raised, hard areas with gritty surfaces on his or her skin. This is caused by calcium deposits in the dermis of the skin and can be very raw and painful.
One of the things that makes calcinosis cutis so difficult is that, even when a dog is on a steady dose of medication, it can take a while to improve and often gets worse before getting better. Once cortisol is under control, your dog’s body will eventually stop forming new lesions, but the progression tends to be slow.
The good news is that there are several products that can help with the healing process. I’ve listed the most popular ones below. Please note, these suggestions are not meant to replace advice from a medical professional. I recommend consulting your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
DMSO is a well-known treatment for calcinosis cutis in dogs. It’s available in both liquid and gel forms. The dose varies but is usually a thin layer applied to affected areas every 24 hours. Note: Please use caution with DMSO. It can cause calcium to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, which can lead to adverse effects if too much is applied too quickly. If using DSMO, it’s a good idea to have your dog’s calcium levels periodically checked by a veterinarian.
Activated charcoal powder
Some pet owners say that activated charcoal baths have improved their dog’s skin lesions. Activated charcoal is widely available through Amazon and several other stores. Make sure that you buy a powder formulation.
To use:
(1) Scoop out charcoal and mix with water to make a paste. The amounts of charcoal and water will depend on how much paste you need for your particular dog and your desired consistency.
(2) Coat your dog’s lesions with the paste.
(3) Leave on for about 20 minutes.
(4) Rinse the paste off with water while gently rubbing the lesions. This will encourage crust and scabs to flake off.
(5) Make sure your dog is thoroughly dry after rinsing.
Medicated shampoo
There are several medicated shampoos on the market that can help to heal irritated skin. One of the most popular is Douxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Chlorhexidine Shampoo. Colloidal oatmeal shampoos can also be very soothing. Your veterinarian may have other recommendations.
Antiseptic mousse
Antiseptic mousse is another thing that can aid the healing process. In addition to shampoo, Douxo S3 has an Antiseptic Antifungal Chlorhexidine Mousse that can be used. Your veterinarian may have other recommendations.
Lotions and ointments
Consider using a soothing lotion or ointment. There are a lot of these products available. Jax N Daisy “Don’t Let Your Dog Itch” Lotion is one that has good reviews. It has the same active ingredient (chlorhexidine) as the Douxo products described above.
Manuka Honey
Scientific studies show that manuka honey may be effective for treating skin conditions, due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be applied directly to your dog’s lesions.
T-shirts or onesies
Since calcinosis cutis can be itchy, dogs will want to scratch their skin. Putting t-shirts or onesies on them can prevent scratching.
See also:
Dermatology Challenge: Severe facial pruritus in a Boston terrier, by Karen A. Moriello, DVM, DACVD