Panosteitis Dog Bone Disease

As dog grows, owners should specifically observeAscriptin, or Rimadyl, or steroids in severe cases.
some changes and possible diseases that may occurRestricting the dog's activity has not been shown to
in their fast growing dogs. One of most common signhave an effect on the healing process. Panosteitis is
is limping, and it can be caused by several problemstreated symptomatically. Rest on comfortable dog
associated with bones and bone growth. One of mostcrates, exercise restriction, and pain medication are
common dog bone disease is Panosteitis or "Pano".prescribed. Pain medication is usually a non-steroidal
Panosteitis is also referred to as growing pains andanti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, such as aspirin,
wandering leg lameness. This lameness can last a dayetodolac, or carprofen. Rarely, severely affected dogs
to a few weeks. Pano is characterized by shifting legmay need more potent pain relief such as narcotic
lameness; one leg will heal, then another may bedrugs.
affected. There are no long-term ill-effects from pano,Panosteitis is treated symptomatically. Rest, exercise
but still needs enough attention and proper petsafe andrestriction, and pain medication are prescribed. Pain
care to prevent such diseases.medication is usually a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Panosteitis is commonly associated with large breeddrug, or NSAID, such as aspirin, etodolac, or carprofen.
dogs and usually occurs in dogs 5 to 12 months ofRarely, severely affected dogs may need more
age, although it has been found in dogs as old as 5potent pain relief such as narcotic drugs. Currently, a
years. Pano most commonly affects males by a ratiocommon rumor is that low protein, low calcium diets
of 4:1. Females are most often affected around theirmay prevent this condition. It should be noted that the
first heat. These disease can be considered partiallyenergy level of low protein/calcium diets is often lower
genetic since so many German Shepherd Dogs areas well. If this is the case, a puppy will eat much more
prone to it. However, many other factors have beenof the diet in order to meet its energy needs, resulting
associated with pano: diet, viral diseases, autoimmunein higher total calcium consumption. It may be
problems, hyperestrogen, and vascular problems. Otherpreferable to feed a puppy diet and restrict total
possible causes include nutritional derangements,quantity to keep the dog lean than to use a low protein
immunologic disease, metabolic disease, and otherlow calcium adult dog food. Some vets recommend
viruses. In other words, no one knows what causes it.supplementing dogs with high doses of MSM,
Some clinical signs were long bone pain, shifting legglucosamine and vitamin C, others provide
lameness, fever, anorexia, lethargy. The commonanti-inflammatories to keep them comfortable.
symptoms of Pano are Lameness that may shift fromWhatever route you go, keep exercise to a minimum
limb to limb, pain, fever, and loss of appetite.and know that if it is indeed Pano, your dog will grow
Like many problems, pano may be difficult to diagnose.out of it and will soon be back to his limber self again!
The dark patches may not appear on the x-rays. TheBecause of the potential genetic link, breeding animals
lameness may not shift to another leg. It can beshould be screened to ensure that they are not
extremely frustrating with many bouts of radiographs.potential carriers of the disease. Despite the numerous
Assuming that the limping is caused by pano can helppuppy foods catering to large breed dogs, there is no
delay diagnosis of other more severe problems. Nevercurrent evidence that confirms that these foods will
assume that limping is caused by pano without havinglower the incidence of the disease when compared to
it properly diagnosed. This can be very scary to anstandard commercial puppy food. If an animal shows
owner who up until this point has had an agile giantsymptoms of the disease, they should be promptly
puppy who loves to lope about the house at a full run!diagnosed and treated and exercise and activity
Pano is an inflammation of the bone itself and throughshould be reduced until the symptoms have gone
radiographs (x-rays) a vet can often determine if this isaway.
indeed the problem a dog is experiencing. The dogThere is also known method of preventing Panosteitis;
normally limps on the affected limb and only rarelyhowever, many veterinarians believe the disease is
holds the limb to prevent any weight from being placedmade worse by calorie-dense diets and
on it. It is often easily diagnosed with an x-ray; theover-supplementation with calcium and phosphorus.
lesion shows as the tell-tale dark patch on the bone.Thus, a diet change to an adult formula, or a large
Pressure applied on the bone elicits a pain response.breed growth formula, is recommended. The dog
Currently, treatment consists of reduction of theshould be fed an amount that does not promote
percentage of protein in the dog's diet and painobesity or overly rapid growth. Calcium and vitamin
management through the use of buffered aspirin,supplements should also be avoided.