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Name
Panosteitis, Canine
Short Description
Panosteitis, eosinophilic panosteitis
Overview:Rapidly growing dogs may experience pain
that arises from the long bones in the limbs. These "growing pains"
are known clinically as panosteitis, a disease affecting young dogs
between the ages of five to 12 months. Lameness that shifts from leg
to leg is a common symptom of panosteitis. Nausea and fever may
occur as well. Although the pain associated with panosteitis can be
acute, this discomfort -- along with the other symptoms -- almost
always goes away once the dog has matured.
Large breeds, particularly the German shepherd, are most commonly
affected by panosteitis, which also is reported fairly frequently in
the golden and Labrador retriever, Great Dane, Scottish terrier, and
Doberman pinscher breeds.
Clinical Signs: Long bone pain, shifting leg lameness, fever,
anorexia, lethargy.
Symptoms: Lameness that may shift from limb to limb, pain,
fever, and loss of appetite.
Description:
Affecting young, rapidly growing dogs of larger
breeds, panosteitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the
marrow cavities of long bones such as the humerus, radius, ulna,
femur, and tibia. This inflammation leads to pain and the production
of reactive bone that results in lameness and sometimes fever.
Pelvis
Lesions of Panosteitis
Femur
Because it can affect different bones at different times, frequently
the lameness will "shift" from limb to limb. These cycles of
lameness may last from two to three weeks for each affected bone.
Often, there will be periods of apparent normalcy between the
periods of lameness. Fortunately, although very painful, the disease
usually disappears when the dog reaches maturity.
Diagnosis: The veterinarian may presume a diagnosis if the
dog shows signs of the disease and is a commonly affected large
breed. A definitive diagnosis requires x-rays. However, x-rays taken
early in the course of the disease may not always demonstrate the
lesions; thus it may be necessary to repeat x-rays on the dog two
weeks later. In repeat x-rays, the characteristic changes often will
be present.
Prognosis: Prognosis is excellent, as most dogs recover with
no permanent effects. Occasionally, panosteitis will flare up in
mature dogs, but this is quite unusual. Some dogs can, however, be
in extreme pain and it may be difficult to keep them comfortable
while the disease is active.
Transmission or Cause: The cause of panosteitis is unknown. There is
speculation that it may be viral, and distemper has been implicated
as a potential cause, but this relationship has yet to be proven
conclusively. Other possible causes include nutritional
derangements, immunologic disease, metabolic disease, and other
viruses.
Treatment: Panosteitis is treated symptomatically. Rest,
exercise restriction, and pain medication are prescribed. Pain
medication is usually a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or
NSAID, such as aspirin, etodolac, or carprofen. Rarely, severely
affected dogs may need more potent pain relief such as narcotic
drugs.
Prevention: There is no specific method of prevention;
however, many veterinarians believe the disease is made worse by
calorie-dense diets and over-supplementation with calcium and
phosphorus. Thus, a diet change to an adult formula, or a large
breed growth formula, is recommended. The dog should be fed an
amount that does not promote obesity or overly rapid growth. Calcium
and vitamin supplements should also be avoided.
