Panosteitis is a disease of bone characterized by the production of scar tissue in the interior of bone and the production of new bone with in the marrow cavity.

Causes are unknown at this time. It may be of a viral origin and is usually a disease of the larger breeds of dog, particularly the German Shepherd.

Clinical Signs:

The disease is often episodic, recurring at intervals.

Dogs are usually 6-18 months old at presentation, but has been reported in animals up to five years of age.

The initial signs are of a relatively severe lameness of acute onset.

The forelimbs are more commonly involved the hind limbs, but the lameness may shift from limb to limb. Recurrence in a previously affected bone appears to be rare.

Lameness may be accompanied by loss of appetite, fever, lethargy, and tonsillitis.

Clinical signs may persist for 2-9 months, but the disease generally disappears by 18 months of age.

Usually the bones affected are the ulna, humorous, radius, femur, and tibia.

Loss of muscle may be present over the affected limbs.

Pain can be elicited by palpation of the affected area of bone.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is confirmed by radiology. Radiographic signs may persist for several months after lameness disappears.

Treatment

Treatment is supportive and consists of exercise restriction and analgesics (non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin (ascriptin), carprofen, and etogesic

.Prevention:

Prevention may involve nutritional management. Excessive calcium intake can result in hypercalcitonism that may retard bone remodeling.