Panosteitis (also known as pano) is a disease primarily affecting the long bones of the legs of dogs. The cause of panosteitis is unknown, but it is thought to be due to large-breed puppies being fed protein-rich food. Symptoms of Panosteitis include lameness, pain, inflammation, and fever. Treatment for Panosteitis consists mainly of pain relief and rest. This condition primarily affects large-breed puppies (such as German Shepherds) between six and twenty-four months of age. Most cases resolve spontaneously. Read on to find out more about what causes panosteitis and how you can help your dog if he or she is diagnosed with panosteitis.
What is panosteitis in dogs?
Panosteitis is a condition affecting the long bones of the limbs, such as the humerus and femur. In young, large breed dogs predominately affected, panosteitis is a developmental disease that causes self-limiting, acute limb lameness. Signs of lameness can range from slight to severe. As this condition occurs almost exclusively in young, growing dogs, it is also known as growing pains.
What breeds are most affected by panosteitis?
The most common breed that develops panosteitis is the German shepherd, with the basset hound being another frequent type but other large breeds can be affected as well. Males are four times more likely than females to be affected and young dogs 6-18 months of age are most commonly affected. Waxing and waning phases can occur frequently up to two years of age, but they are uncommon after that. In middle-aged dogs, occurrences have been recorded only rarely.
What are the causes of panosteitis in dogs?
According to recent research, the feeding of specific protein-rich, high-calorie commercial dog foods is linked to an increased occurrence of panosteitis. Protein-rich diets can cause swelling of the long bones during development. This swelling can cause pressure against the blood vessels within the long bones, resulting in necrosis and significant inflammation within the bones. Eventually and with time, the affected bone returns to normal and the pain subsides.
What are the symptoms of panosteitis in dogs?
Dogs with panosteitis are generally young, fast-growing, large-breed dogs that suddenly experience lameness in one or more limbs. Shifting, intermittent, and waxing-waning periods of lameness may be observed. Palpation of the afflicted long bones elicits pain. Some animals are sluggish, hesitant to move, have a poor appetite, and have a fever. The clinical phase lasts for around two to three weeks.
How is panosteitis in dogs diagnosed?
A young dog of a susceptible breed, such as a German shepherd, with acute lameness in one or more limbs increases the chance of panosteitis. The disorder affects more than one limb and can shift from one limb to the next during distinct episodes. Palpating or pressing on the afflicted long bones generally produces a strong pain response.
Radiographs (X-rays) can give us diagnostic clues. The challenge with diagnosing panosteitis on X-rays is that the dog will show clinical symptoms sooner than what is revealed on the X-ray. Changes within the bones that would be able to be detected on X-rays occur 5-10 days after the clinical presentation. Therefore, if symptoms are acute, the current X-rays may reveal normal-looking bones.
What is the treatment for panosteitis in dogs?
Panosteitis is considered a self-limiting disease, which means it will resolve spontaneously over time and once the dog is mature. As there is no direct, specific treatment for panosteitis, treatment involves managing pain and inflammation. For mildly affected dogs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used with success. In dogs that are more severely affected, such as having a fever and reduced appetite, exercise restriction and corticosteroids may be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms.
How long does panosteitis last in dogs?
After the first 2-3 weeks, most dogs show an improvement in mobility. The lameness may then move to a different leg. Waxing and waning episodes can continue for several months. The illness usually goes away as the dog reaches skeletal maturity, around 1-1.5 years of age.
How can I prevent panosteitis from happening in my dog?
There is not one single entity that can prevent panosteitis from occurring. As the current research suggests however that panosteitis can be a result of feeding a food disproportionate amounts of protein and calories, it is best to feed your large breed dog a puppy food that has been formulated for large breed puppies. Feed the recommended amounts as mentioned on the bag and make sure that your puppy remains in ideal body condition throughout its growth stages.
So there you have it. Panosteitis is a developmental bone disease that affects young, large-breed dogs and is associated with feeding high-protein, high-calorie diets. The good news is that most cases will resolve spontaneously but in the meantime, treatment involves managing pain and inflammation. There is no one single entity that can prevent panosteitis from occurring but by feeding your large breed dog a puppy food that has been formulated for large breed puppies, you can help ensure their growth is as healthy as possible.