Can anyone give me some reassurance or advice? Over the last couple of weeks or so Cam has been ever-so-slightly lame on a front leg. It's more obvious when he's just got up from resting or sleeping - it seems to improve with exercise. I've noticed it on and off in the past before, but it has been so slight I've assumed I'm just being a paranoid mum. I've got him booked into the vets on Friday, but my guess is that they'll just give him some pain killers and tell me to rest him.

I've given him a thorough check over and he's not in any pain, no mysterious lumps and there's nothing stuck in his paws. I've always been very careful with the amount of exercise he gets. We've been playing more vigorous games over the last month or so - chucking balls a good distance for him etc, but nothing crazy.

Could it just be 'growing pains' or should I be worried? :(

Thanks in advance

Jo

Is this your doberman pup, sometime's if they have a mad half hour they can twist or knock themselves, I would not worry to much at the moment if he is not in pain, just restrict his excercise untill you have seen the vet, good luck

I can't recall how old Cam is Jo (a senior moment :D! ) - but it could be that the "growing plates" in his leg are at the uneven stage - we had this with Beau just as he reached 6 months - just in time for his first Champ Show, from which we pulled him - obviously we had him checked over by our vet, who suggsted this, and advised crate rest for 3 weeks. We did this (Beau wasn't too impressed though) but it cleared up quite nicely and we were able to put him back in the ring at Southern Counties.

Wish Cam well - give him plenty of treats.

Margotxx

With a breed like yours it could well be Panosteitis, it is difficult to diagnose, painfull for the dogs but will pass by the time he is 18 months old and apart from if it gets very bad when cage rest or pain killing drugs may be needed, it requires no treatment.

Thanks everybody. Cam is 6 1/2 months (and a dober-dog) so perhaps there is an innocent explanation. I hope so!

I'll keep you posted. :)

Hi Jo

Especially with a male dober-pup the first thing that comes to mind is Pano. If you have not read Grow Your Pups with Bones I recommend reading it - I don't agree with all of it but much of it appears to make sense. Even if it is Pano. it is still worth getting him checked out by a vet in case it is something more serious that needs attention now.

Christine

Thanks Kerioak. I have just read up on Pano - will be interesting to hear what the vet has to say. At least it doesn't seem to be caused by trauma. I just hope it clears up - if I can't play games with him he's going to go crazy. Poor lad. :)

Jo

Hi Jo

We have a 14 month old male doberman and he is quite frequently lame on his front right leg and some times on his left leg.

Costing a fortune at vets for pills , but each time he has the pills the lameness clears in a few days.

Our dog may have to have x-ray the vet said , but hoping not to go down this route, as i remember from last doberman that up to about him being 2 he had bouts of lameness.

They run around so madly I' m not really surprised at what he does to himself.

Hope you pup is ok !

Karen .

Hi Jo
getting the large breed safely through puppyhood is a nightmare.
They are always hurting themselves as they are clumsier then the medium and smaller breeds
Some develop pano,but it is mostly growing pains They seem to stop growth for awhile then spurt up in a few days .some are over excercised while still under 12 months.
I notice when one of my bullies have a growth spurt they appear off colour and sometimes limp
If the vet check is ok and there is only bruising then relax and just let them grow.
I agree most large breeds seem to grow better on raw.

(Following on from the other thread on Pano.) Okay, so perhaps one of my pups does have Pano - but I think this one's diet was changed from raw to complete feeds after it left me?

Hope he grows out of it soon Karen

Christine