Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog with Cushing's has skin problems. When is it time to say goodbye?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 13 years and 4 months old | 81 lbs

My 13yo lab has cushing. He had adverse reactions to meds. He still is happy but the hair loss and plaques on his skin is really bothering him. When should I make the call to end is journey? I feel as though I'm being selfish

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Susan England-Foster

Veterinarian

Published on September 15th, 2017

I am sorry Rylee has not been feeling well. I am unsure by the picture if Rylee is having a drug reaction. Cushings disease is when the body over produces cortisol which is a steroid. Once cushings is being treated a lot of dogs will start to have underlying skin issues due to allergies. The cortisol/steroid being produced by the body will decrease or hide skin allergies. I would recommend taking Rylee to the vet to determine if maybe this is why the skin has changed. It is possible a course of antibiotics or topical shampoos will help with the skin./ I hope this helps and Rylee feels better!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Hi there and thank you for your post! From the picture you provided it appears as though Rylee may be fighting a skin infection as one of the possible causes. Speaking from personal experience with my 20yr old dachshund with Cushing's disease, he would regularly get skin infections that would really bother him. The hair would fall out and skin would peel. With Cushing's disease, they do become more prone to developing skin infections and this is definitely something that can be treated and managed. I would recommend seeing your vet to have this looked at as Rylee will likely need a course of oral antibiotics and topical treatments. If you are unable to get to your vet right away, I would suggest using Duoxo Chlorhexidine PS combination shampoo and bathe twice weekly until resolved. I would also suggest using Welactin omega 3 fish oil and essential 6 spot on by dermoscent. Once this has resolved, I would suggest switching shampoos to Duoxo PS calm shampoo and bathe once per month as maintenance. In regards to when you should make the decision to let Rylee go, it becomes a question of quality of life. How is Rylee's quality of life? Is she doing Rylee behavior still? Is she happy, eating and drinking or does she seem depressed / dull / lethargic? These are all important questions to ask yourself. If her quality of life seems to be deteriorating, I would ask yourself if this is how you want Rylee to continue to live.

For additional Cushing's treatment options, you can try Melatonin and Flaxseed HMR lignan. I would discuss this with your veterinarian for dosing recommendations in Rylee's case as it can vary from case to case. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via phone or text based consultation if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog has Cushing's and spreading skin lesions. What treatment?

Depending on what kind of lesions different type of treatment may be needed. Cushing can predisposed to different type of lesions like skin infections or may cause hard lumps on skin called calcinosis cutis. Please describe what kind of lesion Sandy is having to have specific therapeutic options. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has Cushing's symptoms after prednisone. Is it related?

It does sound like Cushing's disease indeed, which was probably caused by the long use of steroids. The steroids needs to be tapered off over 1-2 months and then you should switch her to a medication called Apoquel for the skin allergy, this medication does not have the side effects that the steroids have.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog with Cushing's losing hair in patches after brushing?

One of the things that Cushing's disease affects is the normal metabolism of hair follicles. Normally hair follicles "turn over" or produce hair quickly enough that we don't see areas of hair loss even though dogs (and us) lose hair daily. When a dog has Cushing's disease, the hair follicles are not regrowing hair as quickly as possible. (And often they do not shed the hairs normally.) Cushing's disease also affects their immune system, so it is more likely that dogs will get overgrowth of normal yeast and bacteria that can invade the hair follicles and cause the hair to fall out. So, what I would suspect occurred is that Buttercup had an area of hair where the hair follicles had a yeast or bacterial overgowth that invaded the hair follicles. Instead of shedding normally, those hairs stayed in place and allowed the bacterial/yeast overgrowth to spread until the hairs were mechanically removed with a brush. And since her hair follicles were not regrowing hair normally, the area is now bald. If there is any crusting, itching or redness that develops, I would certainly have your vet examine Buttercup. Otherwise, i would recommend regular bathing and brushing to remove dead undercoat and prevent future skin problems. It will take time, but fur should regrow in that area as long as the skin there is healthy. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answered your question. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to treat crusty skin bumps on a dog with Cushing's disease?

Dogs with Cushings are more likely to develop skin infections, and it is possible that these crusty lesions are from a bacterial or fungal skin infection. Dogs with allergies can develop similar skin issues. I'd recommend making an appointment with your veterinarian to have Bruiser's skin evaluated and discuss what treatments might be recommended: sometimes shampoos or sprays can help and other times oral medications are necessary.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has Cushing's disease and dark skin. What can I do to help?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Sadly the dark pigment may not be reversible. I would have your Vet check Bentley for a yeast infection. Sometimes that can cause dark flakey pigmented skin. Also make sure he isn't hypothyroid. Some dogs have multiple endodrine diseases. You can try Bentley on Omega 3 to help over all skin health. I like Omega Benefits: http://vrshealth.com/canine-products/omegadog/. Also having his Cushings treated and under control will help further skin issues. I hope this helps and I wish you and Bentley the best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why does my dog have black scaly scabs and fur loss? Is it Cushing's?

Cushings can definitely cause changes to the skin such as symmetric hair loss and black/dirty patches or other color changes. If home care hasn't helped such as the wipes or adhering to diet, it would be a good idea to bring Trixy into your vet for a full exam and bloodwork to see if her condition has progressed and requires additional treatment.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Dog has black bulging skin, hair loss. Is it Cushing's or mange?

He does not look like a Cushing's dog to me, but I would have to test him to be sure. A UCC test would be nice, but a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test would give more information and can easily be done. The human pathology labs should have the capability to measure cortisol (I've done this in India). This black/bald skin tells me that the skin has been inflamed for a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if it is mange (he looks like a classic mange dog) that is causing him to look like this. Mange can take a long time to treat; sometimes over a year with heavy burdens. If the mange was not treated for long enough, then it could have come back. He should be tested again for mange. Other conditions that would cause a lowered immunity should be ruled out (especially if he has demodectic mange). I would want to check a CBC and possibly check the thyroid levels if he was showing other signs of hypothyroidism. If you are having problems finding a vet doctor to do these tests, then my friend's organization in Pune may be able to help. The link to the website is below: http://www.bodhisattva.in/ I hope that helps and Rudy gets better soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share