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Panosteitis

Article Written by Dr. Daniel A. Degner, Board-certified Veterinary Surgeon (DACVS)

Key Points
Lameness usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks, but not longer than 5 weeks; therefore if your pet’s lameness has been going on from a solid period of time that is greater than 5 weeks, your pet likely has another condition
The lameness may shift from one limb to another
This disease is treated with pain medications
This disease usually does not recur after 12 to 18 months of age
Signalment

Young large breed dogs that are 6 to 18 months old
Common breeds affected
German Shepherds (most common)
Great Danes
Doberman Pinscher
Golden retriever
Labrador retriever
Basset hounds

Synonyms
Eosinophilic panosteitis
Enostosis
Endosteal proliferation of new bone
Eopan

Clinical Presentation
Affects the shaft of long bones
Top of the ulna (front limb)
Lower part of humerus bone (front limb)
Central radius bone (front limb)
Central femur bone (thigh bone)
Upper end of tibia bone (hind limb)
Lameness is frequently of sudden onset
May be mild to severe
Lameness usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks, but not longer than 5 weeks; therefore if your pet’s lameness has been going on from a solid period of time that is greater than 5 weeks, your pet likely has another condition
The lameness may have a recurrent pattern
The lameness may shift from one limb to another
The affected bone is painful to touch
Some dogs can show signs of
Fever
Tonsillitis
Elevated white blood cell count

Signs on Radiographs (x-rays)
If the disease is early in its course no abnormalities may not be seen on the radiographs; if the radiographs are repeated in 2 weeks the problem usually can be seen
Increased density in the marrow cavity of the affected bone can be seen
The wall of the bone becomes thicker due to new bone formation on the inner and outer layer of the bone
Two to three months later the bone normalizes and the bone looks normal on radiographs again
In the radiograph below take note of the grey spot in the marrow cavity (denoted by the arrow) which is eopan


Microscopic Signs
There usually is no inflammatory component of panosteitis
The main change seen is fibrosis of the marrow (scar tissue develops)
With time the fibrous tissue changes into bone, hence the increased density as seen on the radiographs
New bone formation on the inner and outer part of the bone can be seen

Cause
Unknown
Potentially an unidentified viral infection

Treatment
Self-limiting disease that has a spontaneous recovery
Repeated bouts of this disease are about one month apart
Problem usually does not recur after 12 to 18 months of age
Treatment is supportive
Anti-inflammatory medications
If the pet is systemically ill, then intravenous fluid therapy may be needed for rehydration