My G.S.D puppy Max has been suffering with Panosteitis, I have not come accross this before. Does anyone have any sugestions on how I can ease this for him. My vet has sugested Anti inflamitorys when he is limping, what I would like to do is stop the limping before it happens. His exercise has been cut down, and over boistrous play with the other GSD's has cut down also
Darren,
Pano is very common in GSDs, it's basically *growing pains*. Some pups are really miserable. It tends to be self limiting, ie it goes away on it's own. The research I've read indicates that activity doesn't have any real effect one way or another. If you decide to go the anti-inflammatory route, be sure you are completely informed as to the potential risks/side effects of the most popular drugs, some can be quite serious.
My last GSD had Pano that would cause lameness in a different leg every few days. Then I met an old breeder (30 year veteran) who told me how to fix the problem -- 48hrs later, my dog was cured.
He said that some young GSD's can not handle the high level of protien in puppy food. Also, they can develop an allergic type inflamitory response to some foods.
Try changing the food for a week or so-- choose one with no more than 24% protien if possible. Let me know what happens.
3 days in now, on the reduced protien diet and I seem to have one healthy limp free dog, thank you very much. What concerns me is that my vet didn't know this! insted they X-rayed and prescribed anti-inflams saying there was nothing much I could do about his condition, is this just because there isn't enough research on pano or because they wouldn't make as much money out of us by prescibing a diet change.I can't belive how quickly this has worked. There are side effects though Max is showing signs of being much happier with twice as much energy.
Thanks again..
The vet clinic where I work very rarely suggests using puppy food on large breed dogs...even the ones that say they are designed for them. Just too many problems can come up for them.
We try not to recommend meds for the pain either. It may sound a little cruel but if you give something to ease the pain you have a dog who is suddenly feeling better and is more likely to want to do more...just the opposite of what you want...you need to keep them quiet...not get them all revved up again. We follow this rule after surgery as well. If the owners are very insistent on wanting to use something and we know them well enough then we may give a low dose of pain killer (not anti-inflammatory though..can increase the risk of bleeding) if we know they will keep the dog crated and quiet.
I am glad that the change in diet worked for you...let it be a lesson to others as well.
Darren... glad to hear the diet change is working. I couldn't believe it either at first-- In fact, I switched back to the original puppy food (high protein) after about a week and-- the lameness came back-- that was enough to convince me.
Several years ago my vet also seemed to have no knowledge about diet and pano-- took multiple x-rays-- prescribed anti-inflamitories. Often, veteran breeders seem to have more "practical knowledge" than vets.
Just try to keep the pup fairly inactive for the next few days or so-- and all should be well.
Has anyone seen Pano occurr in younger GSD puppies - e.g. the articles referred to all say it's most common after 4-5 months. I've got a 3 and 1/2 month old who is showing a limp in the right rear leg, but I can't find any specific sore spot when I feel it. He doesn't seem to react to a touch, but hesitates to put weight on it and whines.
We're of course taking him to see the vet this morning, but I'd appreciate any second (third, etc!) opinions.
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