Working a dog with Pano - Page 1

Is there any risk of structural damage working a dog with Pano? I have a young pup with Pano that has a pretty high pain tolerance (at 12 weeks he ran head first into a tow hitch and did not blink an eye). He will do the work, wants to do the work, and the pain does not seem to affect the work.

About a month ago, I worked him 4days in one week ( he was a litltle heavy too) that is when he really began limping badly. I have not worked him since and taken a little weight off, but is still limping. Now he is going stir crazy in his kennel spinning, jumping, etc. So I am thinking what is the difference or possible damage that could be done with bitework VS what he is doing in his kennel?

Need experienced GSD people's advise. Any Vet's or Vet Tech's out there?

Your knowledge and experience is appreciated.

not a vet - but in my experience, even if your pup has "high pain tolerance" that doesn't mean he isn't feeling pain.  If you can see that he has Pano - he must be showing pain in some way (limping, favoring one leg, etc).  I wouldn't personally work a pup with Pano when it is painful - because he does feel the pain, and you are at risk of having him associate whatever you are doing in training, with his pain (unpleasant experience).  Usually a pup with pano is at a pretty risky age to make any sort of bad associations with anything.  Just like I wouldn't do tug-or grip work on a pup that is teething - I wouldn't do much "work" or training with a pup with painful pano.  Give him buffered aspirin, or when it's more painful - Rimadyl on those days - to help him get through it.  Play with him, but keep him mostly quiet during the times he is painful.  Better to take it slow with puppies - why rush anyway?  You have plenty of time.

molly

Molly, you took the words right out of my mouth... not only are all the things Molly brought exactly the way I feel but since we know pano is  caused by growth happening in 1 place and not the other, it is my opinion that damage could be done by overworking...... depending on what you are calling work... ..How old  is your puppy?? What kind of working him are you referring to??  

Light playing is fine, walking is fine - they still need some exercise - but I'd follow Molly's advice and reduce the activity, pano doesn't last forever.. although I have seen bouts of it last a week or 2 and then move to somewhere else..

Keeping his weight lower is a really good thing as is slow growth...... If he's too active in the kennel, I'd suggest a crate with a good toy to chew on....

Good luck, it doesn't last forever

Denise

GARD

What are you feeding the pup?

Its scarry when your big male start limping......two of my males had it and now Rex is 2 and some months and I saw that his leg swells when he had a bout of it.....anti inflammatory agents of buffered aspirin   for  the ongoing worked for me.....and confining in crate only to potty and do some walking     Second week I had him , he couldnt even walk well ,it hurt so bad   had me worried, but I knew from the breeder, what he had,.....he told me....and my vet took a look and usually when it occurred was also when I switched him to the concrete kennel for a week or so....big boned dogs ......Hes fine now,,,,,,going for OFA in July when I strike it rich  Have three to take to Dallas.....to a very reputable vet .......

He is almost 9 months and eating Natures Recipe 20% protein 12%fat with Salmon oil on top. Been on this about 2 months now. We switched foods every bag, looking for the rigt match after the dog food scare. When Pano was confirmed at 7 months on his OFA prelims, we left him on this since the protein is so low. 

I also started him on Adequan injections monthly as advised by the vet. Anyone have opinions on this? Also we argue if Glucosamine and Condroitin is good or bad for him. GARD and I argue about everything when it comes to the dogs. Help would be much appretiated guys.

I had a female with pano.  Someone told me to switch to a completely raw diet.  I did and whether it was just coincidence or the food, the pano had passed. 

Pano  is growing pains - inflammation of the bursa (lining) of the long-bones.  It can be minor and brief in one leg, it can be more painful and involve more than one, even all of the legs, at the same time or moving back and forth from leg to leg (they show the lameness in the leg that is the most painful) - and it can go away and come back again later.  Most common age to get pano is 6 months to 12 months - 8-9 months I think is most common.  Not all dogs get it - males and females can get it - sometimes whole litters, sometimes no pups in a litter.  Human children get growing pains too, mainly in their thighs and shins (long bones) - same thing.  Buffered or children's asprin, keep them quiet until they are comfortable again.  If the pain is really bad (worse lameness) then a stronger pain killer/antiinflammatory might be in order. 

Main thing is - it will go away.  No need IMO to change diets, give major meds, or go to the vet except if you want to confirm the problem is Pano and not something else (Pano will show up on x-rays).  Giving credit to pano going away to changing to a raw diet IMO is coincidence.  Pano will go away no matter the diet, though some say reducing the protein may help slow the growth rate down, which might help.  I feed my puppies/young adults regular kibble and/or puppy kibble, and expect some pups will get pano, and others won't.  Nothing you can do to stop it - just let them get over it.

molly

LOL Don. I might just do that now that you said so. I'll let GARD read it, strait from your fingers. God help me if I suggest we change the food yet again! I really like RAW and so did my dogs who were on it. Unfortunatly it is a bit of a pain to keep stocked up and I do worry I will get it wrong sometimes. Chicken is cheap and easy to come by, I add a little cheap hamburger once a week or so and lots of fish and fish oil. Baden has had some RAW but never on a RAW diet strictly. Anything else imperative my dogs can't live without I should add?