Hi! I have a great dane... he is 11 months. Periodically he limps... I took him to the vet and the vet looked him over and said it was basically growing pains. He gave me some pain pills and sent me on my way. My dog ended up staying with the vet for the weekend and the same thing happened... again the vet said, don't worry. Took no X-rays. Now my dog holds one of his back legs up, I give him a pill in an hour he seems better. Anyone have Danes and know if this is normal like my vet said? I'm worried about hip problems... are there signs I should be looking for? Thanks for any help you can give.
2007-10-09 07:19:12 · 13 answers · asked by girlnextdoor409 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This sounds a lot like Pano (panoseitis). It is most commonly found in large breed MALE dogs between 6 and 18 months of age. Many years ago I had a male Dane with this problem. Unfortunately, it did not have a good ending for him, but don't let this discourage you, health care has come a long way since then. This problem is characterized by lameness that comes and goes and can affect a different limb, or the same limb, each time it reappears. Sometimes it can be seen in an x-ray, but I would see a specialist for x-rays if you go that route. It will go away on it's own and the only treatment is to make the dog comfortable with pain meds.
There are lots of websites on this topic, so do some research. If it was my own dog, I would have the x-rays done just so I knew without a doubt that I was dealing with Pano. A vet may also be able to tell you that it is Pano during a flare up by palpating the affected limb. There should be a spot on the long bone that will be sore to the touch during the exam. I would ask your vet about the possibility of your Dane having Pano. There aren't a whole lot of vets out there that know much about Danes, unfortunately, you may have to help educate your vet about some common Dane health issues.
Good luck.
2007-10-09 12:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by gr8dane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definately worry if your dane limps. Great danes, due to their rapid growth, can experience a host of diseases and problems associated with that rapid growth. Don't trust this vets opinion- if you have one in the area, seek out a vet who has experience with GIANT breeds. While your dog is older than the age that some of the bone problems appear, he is at prime age for others, including OCD and Pano.
If he isn't already, this pup needs to be put on a low protein food (21% or less) and seen by an experienced vet right away. While it could be "growing pains", they should not be so severe that he is limping or lifting legs..
Good luck with your baby.
2007-10-09 14:39:12 · answer #2 · answered by mangokdkat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a Dane, but an American Bulldog, 93 lbs. She limped and held up her back leg and had a torn ACL. Over $1000 & a surgery later she's good as new. I'd check w/ a different vet-they don't need an xray, just a certain test that they do by moving the leg at the knee to see if it's the ACL.
2007-10-09 14:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by beachlovers5 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a good vet. Most of them say x-rays right away and $400.00 later you find out it was just growing pains. I have Bloodhounds and one went through this. We were also afraid of elbow or hip dysplasia. The vet said signs of dysplasia are cracking noises when you bend the leg. You can also feel a little crack of displacement when it bends. You should also ask the breeder for a medical history on both parents. If your dog has a pedigree then they should have all the info handy.
Good Luck and I hope your pup feels better soon.
2007-10-09 15:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the vet is not too concerned, I wouldn't freak out, if you are still worried, you can take him to an ortho specialist just in case. Many of the larger breeds are prone to panosteitis which basically goes away by itself, great danes can also have HOD (hyper osteo distrophy ?) but that would have to be confirmed with x-rays. Ask the vet at what age you can have him checked for hip displasia so you don't need to worry about his hips any more.
2007-10-09 14:25:09 · answer #5 · answered by Rachal961 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Id say the vet knows best, but honestly, if you feel that the dog is in pain and that the vet is ignoring you... try a second opinion. call another vet clinic and just ask for a quick exam by the vet there, say you want a second opinion.. you dont have to tell your story of how the vet ignored it over the phone, but do tell the second vet all about it in person.
SOmetimes 2 different vets have 2 totally different thoughts and diagnoses.
Id be skeptical of your vet if he's ignoring such a blatant painful something in your dog.
2007-10-09 14:24:00 · answer #6 · answered by Peter Griffin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
While Danes and many large dogs do go through growing pains, I would go to a different vet for a second opinion. Danes are prone to hip and bone problems due to their size,and this is nothing to mess around with.
2007-10-09 14:37:35 · answer #7 · answered by rjn529 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See another vet!!! Doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.
11 months is pretty young to be having hip problems, but definately not unheard of especially in large breeds.
2007-10-09 14:50:41 · answer #8 · answered by Pam 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had 4 great danes and never had anything like that. I would seek a second opinion
2007-10-09 17:17:25 · answer #9 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call your vet back and ask them to do x-rays on his hips and you are willing to pay. Let him/her know how important your puppy is to you and you want to be able to get to the bottom of this problem.
IF your vet refuses to do this simple procedure....I WOULD CHANGE VETS IMMEDIATELY.
While the vet should be the authority.....it simply isn't true....the owner knows his/her animal and the vet should always be willing to do whatever the OWNER wants.
I wish you well and hope your puppy is feeling better soon.
Blessings,
Patti
2007-10-09 14:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by Patti 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋