Panosteitis is a bone disease which generally occurs in the young dogs that belong to some of the larger breeds, such as German shepherds, great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and basset hounds. It is the most common in German shepherds. Beyond being common in the younger members of large breeds, the cause of panosteitis is not really known, although some suspected causes are viruses, vascular problems, parasites, allergies, and changes in the dog’s hormones. Panosteitis is seen in males more than it is seen in females.
The problem itself generally affects the long bones in a dog’s body, namely the humerus and the femur, which make up the bones in the upper parts of the forelimbs and hindquarters. In some cases, it affects the lower part of the limbs as well. For the most part, dogs who get panosteitis are between the ages of six months and eighteen months, but sometimes older dogs get it as well.
So what should you do when your dog gets panosteitis? First of all, make sure that your vet sees your dog, because he will be the best person to diagnose the problem. Panosteitis basically causes your dog to be lame and this lameness, while more common in the forelimbs, can shift between legs. You will be able to see a very pronounced limp. Other signs of panosteitis include loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, and the atrophy of the muscles in the affected legs. Together or separately, these symptoms do not necessarily always point to panosteitis, which is why it is better to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Your vet will take your dog’s medical and health history, and then examine him thoroughly. Sometimes, x-rays are necessary if the vet is unsure from a physical examination whether or not your dog has panosteitis. In general, it is very easy to diagnose panosteitis through x-rays. Unfortunately, taking x-rays often requires that your dog has to be perfectly still while remaining in an awkward and uncomfortable position. The vet may need to anesthetize or sedate your dog in order to do this.
The good news is that panosteitis is treatable. In fact, it is what is known as a self limiting condition, which means that, in time, it will get better, although your dog may still experience lameness and a limp from time to time, and the lameness may move from one leg to another. Generally, once the dog is a year or a year and a half old, the condition will disappear completely. However, your vet will not simply allow your dog to suffer through the condition until he reaches that age. The most common treatments for panosteitis involves restriction of exercise and medications, namely pain relievers. Your vet will have several possible medications and treatments at his disposal.
As yet, no one is really sure if it is possible to prevent panosteitis. Because the cause of the condition is still unclear, everything up to this point is only theory. However, one of the more accepted theories is that too much calcium or calcium supplements may have something to do with panosteitis, so you can talk to your vet and see if he has recommendations for food and supplements.
