Panosteitis in Dogs

Canine bone inflammation, also known as panosteitis in dogs, is a bone condition that affects young and growing furbabies.

How Does Panosteitis in Dogs Occur?

Panosteitis in dogs is a painful bone condition for your furbaby, affecting most the humerus bone (upper arm). But it can also occur in the ulna and radius (bones in the foreleg), in the tibia (bone in the lower rear leg), and in the femur (bone in the thigh).

What makes it more trying is that it has a cyclic nature. You thought the pain is over and that your furbaby can finally go back to his normal activities, but then it isn't. It has periods of improvements followed by periods with worsening symptoms, shifting from one leg to another. These periods may last from a couple of days to weeks and even months!

Which Dogs Can be Affected With Canine Panosteitis?

Canine panosteitis can affect any dog, but puppies and young adult dogs who are continually growing are more prone to it. Some dog breeds, especially the large ones, are also more susceptible to developing this condition. These breeds include Rottweilers, Great Danes, Basset Hounds, Labrador & Golden Retrievers, Germans Shepherds, and many other breeds.

What Causes Panosteitis?

The cause of why panosteitis in dogs happens is still unknown up to this day. But some factors thought to predispose dogs to this condition include genetics, infection, stress, metabolism, demanding activities, autoimmune component, and inappropriate nutrition.

Panosteitis Symptoms in Dogs

The most common symptom of panosteitis in dogs is the sudden and painful lameness of your furbaby in one or more of his legs that can range from being mild to severe. Other symptoms include:

• fever
• resistance to movements and activities
• presence of pain when moving or when the affected area is touched
• decreased or loss of appetite
• weight loss
• lethargy

How to Treat Panostesitis in Dogs

Unfortunately, there is no cure for panosteitis in dogs — it just has to run its course. But there are ways to manage it:

Pain management. Panosteitis in dogs can suddenly appear and can also spontaneously resolve on its own. But it can be very painful that's why your veterinarian's treatment plans for your furbaby are centered on pain management. He might also prescribe pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs if deemed necessary. These medications are given to help your furbaby feel more comfortable.

According to Veterinary Partner, if pain relievers are inadequate, combinations of adjunctive therapy and pain relievers can be suggested and used by your veterinarian. The ultimate cure, however, is time, until your fur-baby outgrows the condition.

Just a little reminder: Always consult your vet in cases like this one. Don't consider self-medicating as this can do more harm than good to your dog.

Restrict activities and exercise. During periods of lameness and pain, exercise and rigid movements must be avoided. But on periods of improvements, light to moderate movements and exercises are encouraged.

Provide a balanced and healthy diet. Most dogs suffering from canine panosteitis will have poor to no appetite at all. This is why an appetizing but healthy diet should be given to encourage them to eat.

Offer supplements. To help with the dog's nutrition and fast recovery, it is best to provide supplements such as omega-3 and supplements for hip and joint support.

Preventive Measures to Take to Avoid Panosteitis

• Consult your veterinarian for further guidance on the most proper nutrition for your dog.
• Restrict the quantity of food fed to your pup or your young adult furbaby to keep them lean and avoid any excess weight.
• Do not feed your puppy adult dog food. Dog foods for adult dogs are lower in calcium, protein, and energy levels. Rapidly growing puppies need higher levels of dietary energy to meet the nutritional needs of growth and development.

How Can Pet Parents® Help with Panosteitis?

For management: Just like how humans might take hip and joint supplements to help support and strengthen our joint health, so can our dogs! With panosteitis, giving your furbaby Pet Parents® Hip and Joint SoftSupps® daily can help in boosting joint health. These dog supplements contain Glucosamine HCL for lubrication and cushion around the joints as well as Chondroitin Sulfate which helps maintain cartilage and connective tissue to ease stiffness. These supplements contain PurforMSM® which helps support overall mobility and joint stress recovery with absolutely no fillers. 

Pet Parents® Hip and Joint SoftSupps® do not act as a medical replacement but can help boost up the dog’s joint wellness for bettering movements, as panosteitis in dogs greatly affect your dog’s ability to move freely.

For prevention: Puppies are so playful and energetic and we are always in awe with their high energy and stamina. At the same time, your dog's muscles, bones, and joints are growing at a rapid pace. Providing our quality Hip and Joint SoftSupps® can help provide the extra support for healthy joints and cartilage development that growing puppies need for a fun-filled, active life.