Panosteitis, Wandering Lameness

Panosteitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bone. The cause of panosteitis, also called "growing pains," is unknown, but there is a tendency for the disease to run in families. German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers, St. Bernards, Basset Hounds, Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers are commonly affected. Male dogs are four times more frequently affected than females.

Signs of Panosteitis

A characteristic sign is the tendency for pain, lameness and to shift from one location to another over a course of several weeks or months. The disease often is accompanied by fever, muscle wasting, and unthriftiness, although in many dogs the blood test may show normal chemistry.

Eosinophil is a type of white blood cell which is a reddish color when stained and examined under a microscope. They increase in number when the patient has an allergic condition or when there is an invasion of the body by parasites (worms, etc.). Eosinophilia is an abnormally large number of eosinophils in the circulating blood.

Pressure over the shaft of the affected bone elicits pain. X-rays show the characteristic picture of increased density in a long bone. The femur (thigh bone) and the humerus (upper arm bone) are most frequently affected. Your dog can suddenly become unusually lethargic, may have decreased appetite and is reluctant to exercise.

Treatment of Panosteitis

As the cause is unknown, treatment is directed at the relief of bone pain. Most dogs recover spontaneously, but if severely affected, may never regain full muscle strength and condition. Once an individual bone recovers, the condition usually does not occur in that limb. Buffered aspirin is usually an analgesic of choice. Restricting exercise is recommended to prevent flare-ups of inflammation.

References:
1. The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health. Linda P. Case