Pano, Could Brutus have it?

[filarotten]

Brutus was doing fine after the last vet visit for a pulled muscle. He seemed to only limp after being very active. However, I have noticed for the last few days it is back again. But, what I am noticing is, it seems to be fluctuating between the right front leg and the left front leg. I have rubbed, felt and can't seem to get a definate reaction from him other than the limping. Then, for a few days he is fine. Now, I know my vet well enough. if this what it is, she will want to put him on rimadyl or deramax. I really don't want to go this route. I have been reading about this today and I from what I am understanding it is more prevalent in large male dogs that grow extremly fast. Of course this is Brutus. Some say diet, alergies, to much protien, others say they don't know what causes it. They do however outgrow it. Some owners suggested high vitamin C, and other herbal remedies. They swore it worked better than anything else. I know some of you are experts with the herbs. I would really like to try this option first before taking him back to the vet. BTW his xrays were fine at the last visit. Growth plates were fine, bones looked fine. Could this be the beginning of pano? Should I change his food?
Many people said they switched their dogs to a complete raw diet and the problems went away. Any suggestions? I am worried.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

How old is he, and what breed?

What are you feeding him?

Pano is most common during the rapid growth period in larger breed dogs. It can happen as late as 18 mos, but you are more likely to see it from 8 or 10 to 14 mos.

I have not had a case of it in many years, not since I started supplementing and feeding raw.

If the lameness is not gone in a couple of days, I'd get some testing done.

 

[filarotten]

I feed him Innova large breed puppy. Plus, I cook for them, and they get this with the evening meal. He also gets rib bones, neck bones and chicken necks once or twice per week. The vet actually xrayed both front legs and nothing out of the ordinary is showing up. She was actually quite happy with his growing progress. And, I have to say she has been an excellent vet thru the years. Am, I doing something wrong? Oh, he will be 8 mos. on the 7th. he is a fila brasileiro.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

It certainly could be. If he were my dog I would lower his protein intake, and supplement him with Vitamin C. If it's Pano it will wander from leg to leg. At that age I would also be highly suspect of elbow issues in front end lameness.

 

[filarotten]

Wouldn't that have showed up in the xrays taken 1.5 weeks ago?

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Maybe, but probably not. Elbow films are notoriously difficult to read, and must be of the HIGHEST quality to be read well. Even then, often it takes a CT scan to be sure.

That is where I ended up when my middle bitch went lame at 7 months. I went immediately to an orthopedic specialist for films. They were suspect but not conclusive for Elbow Dysplasia.

I went to NC State to the Vet School for CT scans of her elbows at 10 mos of age when she was no better. She was diagnosed as moderate in both elbows at 10 mos. She got better on a day to day basis after the rapid growth period ended, but she is already lame on the forehand after heavy exercise. I do feel that it will shorten her lifespan markedly. Very sad, she came from elbow normal parents.

For your sake and that of your dog, I hope that is NOT it, but if it IS, it would be wise to find out now so you can go ahead and start diet and supplement support.

 

[filarotten]

Thanks redyre. I appreciate your honesty.

 

[Barb04]

Take him off the Large Breed puppy and feed the regular adult formula. This will slow down his growth rate and help with the pano. We experienced the same thing in our dogs. It will sometimes reappear some months later but they outgrow it by 15-18 months old.

 

[filarotten]

Thanks Barb. I am going to try that and see if it helps. I also found a small red bump on the webbing of his right front foot. It is about the size of a pea. It doesn't seem to be full of puss. But, when I touched it, he pulled his foot back. This may be contributing also.