Cushing's Disease...Sun Protection

[candy fuoco]

Hello and thanks in advance for your help.

My 13 year old poodle, Sparky, the love of my life, has developed Cushing's Disease which has caused him to start going bald. I am concerned about him going out in the sun and risking getting sun burnt...is there anything I can do to protect his skin. He is on daily medication of 30mg of Trilostane since late December 2006 and was really showing an improvement for several months. The skin lesions were all gone and so was the odd smell that went with them. Now the lesions have started up again and so has the odor....his appetite is always great and he is not sleeping any more than usual. He does seem to have lost quite a bit of his hearing and now has a tendency to find odd corners in the house to sleep....I am concerned and would welcome any other opinions from vets...and pet owners alike. I will do anything to help my boy.

Many thanks
Candyl

[GabrielDeafBlindPupFamily]

Hi, Candy & Welcome! Have you joined the Canine Cushings AutoImmune group? It's a yahoogroup. I had joined for a time, when it wasn't clear if my lethal whites might be auto immune compromised (don't appear to be so)
Yes, you should worry about sunburn, and I have www.aussielads.com open right now to check to see if they have recommendations,,,, hang on ...nope... nothing there. Can you put a canine tee shirt on, as well as doggles or sun cap?
I am sure there is a sunscreen that would be safe. I would think what is safe for babies, but others may have info I do not, so I'll let them chime in.
I have a deaf pup and just posted some tips under deaf and blind, so you have a jump start on the loss of hearing...
Welcome to you both!

[CarolC]

Hi Candy,

They do make sunscreen for dogs. One brand is Doggles:

http://www.doggles.com/health.html

You can find other brands by doing an Internet search on sunscreen for dogs. What if you put a T-shirt on him when he goes out, for a little protection?

[critters]

I know very little about Cushings, but there are a TON of Cushing's people at VetPet http://www.vetpetpartners.com/ . I'm not getting the site to work, but you can subscribe by emailing the owner at owner-vetpet @ vetpetpartners.org (close 2 spaces). I think you'll like it a lot.

[candy fuoco]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RESPOND....YES IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A SUNSCREEN CALLED DOGGLES...SO I AM OFF TO GET THAT RIGHT AWAY. SPARKY IS ACTUALLY AT THE GROOMER'S RIGHT NOW...W'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A BRAND NEW HAIRSTYLE TO SUIT HIS BALD SPOTS...I KNOW HE'S GOING TO LOOK GREAT.
THANKS AGAIN

[candy fuoco]

Thanks so much for the recommendation....yes I will get the Doggles and also use a t-shirt...I can't tell yu how much appreciate the time you taken to help us out

Candy

[candy fuoco]

Thank you I will email the owner right off....I know I'll be able to find the help I need...thnaks again and I'll keep you postedas to Sparky's progress.

candy

[critters]

There's a huge Cushings discussion going on right now at VetPet.

[candy fuoco]

where can i go to see this discussion....I tried vetpet.com but this is not the rite site

thanks
Candy

[critters]

You have to join before you can see anything. http://www.vetpetpartners.com/ If that's still not working, email Hilary at the address I gave you.

[candy fuoco]

thanks I will apply