Growing pains (panosteitis) is an inflammatory disease of the bones of young dogs. It causes a sudden onset of lameness, resulting in recurrent limping. It occurs in many breeds of dogs, but the disease does seem to strike larger breeds, such as German Shepherds and Great Danes, more often. Dogs between five to twelve months of age are most often affected, although it can strike as early as two months and as late as five years of age.