Baggins has possible Panosteitis

[paulsutt]

Hi

Some of you may know our little terror has been having leg problems repeatidly. These come on very quickly and are very painful for him..not only moving his affected leg but also pressing it caused him to cry - very distressing.  To begin with we thought it was leg strain - however after the first few visits we were worried because it was his back left leg that he had hurt. I was worried sick that it was a possible hip problem.

Same pattern - to vets, shot of Metacam and pain and lameness dissapeared quickly. This process happened several times - this then resulted in him having a set of xrays and bloods done - all clear. His latest episode he hurt his leg very badly and was in a lot of pain. However this time its his front left leg - so back to vets and more xrays to be on safe side - again nothing out of the ordinary. He's had a couple of shots of metacam yesterday and pain has definately been reduced..still limping but better than he was.

We are obviously really concerened as to what this was? In a strange way thankfully its a different leg - so this isnt a hip problem - the vet initially suggested that it could possibly be Panosteitis. He now thinks that seeing a history and the way it comes on so quickly it is likely to be Panosteitis/ I thought this was only in larger breeds however both the vet and their in house specalist have seen this in Cockers before.

To be on the safe side Baggins has been referred to Willows in Solihull where they will obviously look into this more. I think the thing is with Panosteitis is that it doesnt always show on a normal xray and can be difficult to detect.

Its really horrible to say the least and when he's getting these episodes he is in a lot of pain. Although he hasnt been diagnosed with this condition yet - I understand that he will grow out of it if it is indeed Panosteitis - not very nice though at all.

..just wanted to add..im aware of the theory that a high protein diet MAY contribute to this condition. Baggins has been on a very high protein diet - he's growing really quickly.. so there may be a possible link there. Obviously we are going to modify his diet slightly.

and so to the point in this post!

...has anyone had any experience of this condition in a young cocker?

I would be really grateful to hear from anyone that has.

Many thanks
Paul

[elaine.e]

I don't have any knowledge of Panosteitis, but wanted to say sorry that Baggins is going through this. I guess the positive is that if Panosteitis is definitely diagnosed at least you know he will grow out of it.

I'm pretty sure others on here have had their Cockers referred to Willows in Solihull for various conditions and have had very positive experiences.

I'm sure you've been doing your research but I don't know if you have had a look at this http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/27/three-common-bone-growth-conditions-in-puppies-and-young-dogs.aspx. It's a link to a USA site but I've heard that Dr. Karen Becker is highly rated, so there may be some useful info. in there.

Good luck with Baggins

[wendall]

Aww poor Baggins, cant offer any help, but sending him 

[Archie bean]

I've been following poor little Baggins and his updates on FB. All fingers and paws crossed that he grows out of it sooner rather than later.  for all of you. He's a very brave little boy.

[Patp]

Poor Baggins

Was reading the update on Facebook yesterday.

Is it something his littermates might also be suffering from?  Might be worth asking his breeder?

I have heard many great successes at the Willows.

Keep us updated

Hugs from Jinley xx

[JamiesGirl]

Poor Baggins

Was reading the update on Facebook yesterday.

Is it something his littermates might also be suffering from?  Might be worth asking his breeder?

I have heard many great successes at the Willows.

Keep us updated

Hugs from Jinley xx

i was going to suggest making sure his breeder was aware it might be something that's been unknowingly passed down through the lines

I hope treatment goes well x

[maddy74]

No advice on the condition but just to let you know we have had to use 'The Willows' and they are excellent.

I hope you get some answers soon. Get well soon Baggins.

[paulsutt]

..thanks for replies everyone.

Actually know Willows quite well as it was there that my Max had his eye lense replacement...they did a great job.

..also been in touch with breeder..all other puppys are ok..so Baggins has been a bit unlucky!

..vet thinks that referral should be quite quick so hopefully we wont have to wait that long!

[MIN]

never heard of this so had to google it. Surprising what you can find out these days
Hope Baggins gets sorted soon 

[panda66]

Lila had three bouts of lameness, affecting her front legs and coming on very suddenly, before she was one.  They each lasted about six weeks and the vet, although uncertain, thought it was Panosteitis.  She has been raw fed since a pup and I was very careful that she didn't gain weight fast so no obvious cause 
She has been fine for the last 12 months thank goodness
I hope he gets better soon.

[Mudmagnets]

Again no knowledge of ailment, but hope Baggins can make a quick recovery

[helshaw]

Buster was treated at Cambridge university vet school last Feb & oct by a vet who has gone to Solihull. His name is Julien Bazelle & is a fantastic vet so if Baggins gets him he will be in good hands. Julien saved Busters life twice & seems to know a lot about cockers. Will keep my eye out for updates.

[paulsutt]

thankyou for all the replies.

Just a quick update (I know some of you may have seen this on his facebook page!!! thanks to my wife Wendy's daily updates!)

..Baggins is back to (almost) normal now (oh god!)..still slight limp but much better. In fact the evening he came back from the vets he went beserk after the pain killers kicked in and I had to catch him after tearing around like a mad one!!

Its such a strange condition he literally went from Monday afternoon from being in agony (anyone would have thought hed broken his leg)..then 48hrs later to almost back to normal - this is the pattern when he has these 'attacks', although this one was the worst.

After speaking to our vets (who are absolutely brilliant) today, he is fairly certain it is Pano. The plan going forward will be to see how he does and if there is another episode then he will be referred. At least now we now what we are dealing with a little more (although technically it hasnt been diagnosed) as to begin with we were so worried that he just seemed to be in pain for no reason.

Also wanted to add that Petplan have been absolutely brilliant - I am soooo glad I took the ultimate insurance with them.

He has his first puppy training class tomorrow so im sure that will be interseting to say the least!

[Poppypuppy09]

Good to hear that Baggins is back to his usual self 

Paws crossed that there are no further incidences 

[MacTavish Boys]

That is good news, so pleased that Baggins is back to being a normal mad cocker i hope he enyoys his class tomorrow
Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx