Overview
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 dog 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.
Panosteitis usually affects the long bones and seldom involves more than one leg at a time. Once it has affected a bone, it is not likely to reappear in that same bone again. As a result, a dog may limp on one leg for a short while, stop limping, and then limp on another leg.
Causes of Growing Pains
The cause of panosteitis remains unknown. Some experts believe that hereditary factors are involved, especially since this disease seems to occur along familial lines. Nutrition does not appear to be implicated, but allergies, metabolic disturbances, infections, immune system dysfunction, parasitism, and hormonal problems have been suggested as possible causes.
Symptoms of Panosteitis
The symptoms of panosteitis in dogs are caused by the severe and debilitating pain that is associated with this disease. Panosteitis affects the long bones in the dog’s legs, particularly the areas of the growing shaft of the bone. The severe symptoms of this disease appear quickly and without warning. Young dogs that experience panosteitis will suddenly start to go lame. The lameness can change from one leg to the next or involve multiple legs at once. Additional symptoms include fever, lack of appetite, and obvious signs of pain in the legs when the legs are touched.
The sudden onset of the disease, and the obvious suffering that it causes, can understandably frighten concerned pet owners. Fortunately, panosteitis can be diagnosed quickly through x-rays of the affected limbs. Treatment consists of pain medications and rest throughout the duration of the disease; the course of the disease generally lasts between two to five months.
If your young dog is displaying any symptoms of panosteitis, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately. While the disease is not life threatening, the severe pain that it causes should be treated as soon as possible.
Treating Growing Pains in Dogs
Most affected dogs recover without treatment by two years of age. Until then, episodes of lameness may occur with varying degrees of severity and for varying lengths of time. These episodes may occur at irregular intervals two to three weeks apart, and may last from several days to several weeks. Each episode can range from mild lameness to complete disuse of the leg.
As the dog gets older, the severity of the lameness episodes should gradually lessen and the periods of remission in between the attacks should last longer. Eventually, the disease runs its course and the patient is free of pain and clinical signs.