My 4 month old boxer puppy acts like she's hurt - sore, although it can't be isolated to one area through rubbing, etc. Her appetite is decreased as well. She did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and then just as quickly as it came she was better again. Any ideas?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Boxer Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: 4 months Name of Dog: Sarah Already Tried: Just tried to determine if it was any particular body area that was sore - no indication that it is particular. She yipes when you pick her up of move her quickly. As I said she did this a couple of weeks ago as well, it lasted a couple of days then she was fine.
Dear pet owner, I am sorry to hear about Sarah. There are two major possibilities that come to mind. Any time a pet has a decreased appetite and pain it can be something bothering her intestine. For that you definitely will need a vet visit and a fecal exam to start.The other thing is, puppies get a condition called panosteitis, which is a sort of inflammation of the bones. We don't know exactly what causes it. One way to get a clue if it is Panosteitis is to not just rub on her. Press on her long bones (front leg, rear leg) and see if she yelps. If so it's likely Panosteitis. The thing about that disease is that it does come and go, it is not life-threatening and she will grow out of it when she grows out of puppyhood. Some pet owners however don't like to see their pet in pain no matter what the cause. Then she would need to be seen by a vet to get some pain medication. I hope this helps.
Her pain does not appear to be abdominal, the lack of appetite seems like it is more a result of whatever is bothering her rather than a symptom. The Panosteitis you described sounds more like what we may be dealing with and I will do as you suggested and see if she yelps then. (Problem is that she's a little spoiled so anything bothering her she tends to magnify). If it is that and as you said it will come and go are we looking at a year or will it go on longer than that?
Yes, if it is panosteitis you may have to deal with it coming and going until she stops growing (when the bone growth stops, that's when the disease goes away). I would take her to a vet. he would take xrays to see if she has it and then prescribe pain medication. I hope this helps.
Experience: I have been practicing on canines for 23 years including military working dogs and breeders.
Hello, I am just inquiring to see how Sarah is doing?