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 ofcrates, exercise restriction, and pain medication are
most common dog bone disease is Panosteitis orprescribed. Pain medication is usually a non-steroidal
"Pano". Panosteitis is also referred to as growing painsanti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, such as aspirin,
and wandering leg lameness. This lameness can last aetodolac, or carprofen. Rarely, severely affected
day to a few weeks. Pano is characterized bydogs may need more potent pain relief such as
shifting leg lameness; one leg will heal, then anothernarcotic drugs.
may be affected. There are no long-term ill-effectsPanosteitis is treated symptomatically. Rest, exercise
from pano, but still needs enough attention andrestriction, and pain medication are prescribed. Pain
proper petsafe and 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
dogs and usually occurs in dogs 5 to 12 months ofcarprofen. Rarely, severely affected dogs may need
age, although it has been found in dogs as old as 5more potent pain relief such as narcotic drugs.
years. Pano most commonly affects males by a ratioCurrently, a common rumor is that low protein, low
of 4:1. Females are most often affected around theircalcium diets may prevent this condition. It should be
first heat. These disease can be considered partiallynoted that the energy level of low protein/calcium
genetic since so many German Shepherd Dogs arediets is often lower as well. If this is the case, a
prone to it. However, many other factors have beenpuppy will eat much more of the diet in order to
associated with pano: diet, viral diseases, autoimmunemeet its energy needs, resulting in higher total
problems, hyperestrogen, and vascular problems.calcium consumption. It may be preferable to feed a
Other possible causes include nutritionalpuppy diet and restrict total quantity to keep the
derangements, immunologic disease, metabolicdog lean than to use a low protein/low calcium adult
disease, and other viruses. In other words, no onedog food. Some vets recommend supplementing
knows what causes it. Some clinical signs were longdogs with high doses of MSM, glucosamine and
bone pain, shifting leg lameness, fever, anorexia,vitamin C, others provide anti-inflammatories to keep
lethargy. The common symptoms of Pano arethem comfortable. Whatever route you go, keep
Lameness that may shift from limb to limb, pain,exercise to a minimum and know that if it is indeed
fever, and loss of appetite.Pano, your dog will grow out of it and will soon be
Like many problems, pano may be difficult toback to his limber self again! Because of the potential
diagnose. The dark patches may not appear on thegenetic link, breeding animals should be screened to
x-rays. The lameness may not shift to another leg. Itensure that they are not potential carriers of the
can be extremely frustrating with many bouts ofdisease. Despite the numerous puppy foods catering
radiographs. Assuming that the limping is caused byto large breed dogs, there is no current evidence
pano can help delay diagnosis of other more severethat confirms that these foods will lower the
problems. Never assume that limping is caused byincidence of the disease when compared to standard
pano without having it properly diagnosed. This cancommercial puppy food. If an animal shows
be very scary to an owner who up until this pointsymptoms of the disease, they should be promptly
has had an agile giant puppy who loves to lope aboutdiagnosed and treated and exercise and activity
the house at a full run! Pano is an inflammation of theshould be reduced until the symptoms have gone
bone itself and through radiographs (x-rays) a vetaway.
can often determine if this is indeed the problem aThere is also known method of preventing
dog is experiencing. The dog normally limps on thePanosteitis; however, many veterinarians believe the
affected limb and only rarely holds the limb todisease is made worse by calorie-dense diets and
prevent any weight from being placed on it. It isover-supplementation with calcium and phosphorus.
often easily diagnosed with an x-ray; the lesionThus, a diet change to an adult formula, or a large
shows as the tell-tale dark patch on the bone.breed growth formula, is recommended. The dog
Pressure applied on the bone elicits a pain response.should be fed an amount that does not promote
Currently, treatment consists of reduction of theobesity or overly rapid growth. Calcium and vitamin
percentage of protein in the dog's diet and painsupplements should also be avoided.
management through the use of buffered aspirin,