New here with some questions pleeeeze :)

[atcbravozulu]

Hello
I have a gorgeous English Mastiff named Samson, He will be 1 in a few days and weighs 157 pounds. Last week he stopped walking. I was very concerned, so I took him to the vet. The vet diagnosed him with Panosteitis and sent us home with a script for Rimadyl. After a couple of days on the medication, Sammy started walking around a little more, but in obvious pain. He doesn't whine or wimper when I touch him. He's still in great spirits. He's lethargic and there has been a marked loss of appetite. He's definitely losing weight, as he has been struggling with the pain for over a week now. Yesterday he started to decline again, with less movement. He attempted to go upstairs and he slid back down after making it half way. So my questions:

Does this sound like Panosteitis? Could it, perhaps, be something more serious like hip dysplasia at this age? The vet felt around and didn't feel any fractures or breaks but he didn't take x-rays...he said he wants to hold off a bit. I read online that there are all sorts of supplements to help with this problem and to prevent further growth related issues,,,,does anyone have any tried and true recommendations? I contacted the breeder and she said she's never seen this in any of her dogs...that seems odd to me.?.?.? Anyone with any experience with this want to chime in?

Thanks so so much,

Beth

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Oh, my that sound like it hurts. I am sure someone will answer soon.

 

[DDSK]

I would have him checked for Addison's disease and quickly.
These are the same symptoms my CC Zoey had, everyone thought it was a knee problem and went in for surgery she crashed and almost died, luckily there was a vet there who thought it might be Addison's and gave her melds for Addison as it was a last resort because she was dying.
The vet then ran tests for Addison's and she was positive.
Few vets test for Addison's and many dogs die because of it.
If it is Addison's he should respond quickly to the medicine.
If it Addison's he will need mess for life, but they can live a normal life and normal life span.

 

[babyjoemurphy]

DDSK- I am curious. What are the first signs, how fast does it progress and what is the final stages of the disease if not caught?

 

[karennj]

So the vet did no diagnostic tests at all? His can they be sure it isn't something else?

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Please go get in house blood work done. Our old vet had the option to have blood sent out that was cheaper or in clinic that cost about 25 bucks more. Better to know now then to keep worrying and to be able to get your guy better

 

[atcbravozulu]

No....he didn't do any blood work. Sammy had Lyme's disease early on, about 4 months. The vet is thinking he picked it up from the breeder since he had always been on a preventative with me. He palpitated his bones and didn't feel any fractures. I asked him about Addison's and he said it's VERY unlikely given his age (usually diagnosed around 4 years old) and I guess it's more prevalent in Females?

He has good days and bad. today is a good day. I ordered a TON of supplements for him...wheat germ oil, cod liver oil, glucosomin, lecithin, alfalfa... and we have farm fresh eggs and plain greek yogurt. It's my understanding that a conglomeration of this every day will help alleviate hip/joint pain.

Any experience with this?

 

[DDSK]

DDSK- I am curious. What are the first signs, how fast does it progress and what is the final stages of the disease if not caught?

Addison's is called "The great pretender"
This disease mimics many other diseases, it is more prevalent in females but not uncommon in males.
It is supposedly rare in Mastiff breeds, but there is more than one member here who has a Mastiff with Addison's.
The symptoms are much the same as the OP stated.
No appetite, won't eat, weight loss, leathergic, weak doesn't want to stand or walk, showing physical pain.
It also causes severe weakness in the rear.
Failure to treat will result in death.
When the dog in an Addison's crisis they will die without medical attention if the crisis is severe.

 

[DDSK]

No....he didn't do any blood work. Sammy had Lyme's disease early on, about 4 months. The vet is thinking he picked it up from the breeder since he had always been on a preventative with me. He palpitated his bones and didn't feel any fractures. I asked him about Addison's and he said it's VERY unlikely given his age (usually diagnosed around 4 years old) and I guess it's more prevalent in Females?

He has good days and bad. today is a good day. I ordered a TON of supplements for him...wheat germ oil, cod liver oil, glucosomin, lecithin, alfalfa... and we have farm fresh eggs and plain greek yogurt. It's my understanding that a conglomeration of this every day will help alleviate hip/joint pain.

Any experience with this?

So it sounds like the Vet did no tests or had no diagnosis as to what the problem may have been.
This also happened to Zoey, two different Vets made improper diagnosis it wasn't until she went in for unnecessary knee surgery That she went into a full crisis and almost died from it, thank God there was a sharp internal medicine Vet on duty that figured out it was probably Addison's.
She too said it was unusual for her breed and her age 1 year old.

 

[karennj]

I would at the least do routine blood work if it has not been done in the past few months.