Re: Re: [pyrnet] Food issues-Pano

["Barb Bowes" <greatpyr@enter.net>]

I have seen one really severe case of Pano. It occurred in my first Pyr. It 
was horrible, the dog was in extreme pain for months. We did all we could to 
help him, but what made the difference was switching him to adult food. Once 
that was done, his pain subsided considerably within a month or so. But 
then, he had some other pretty severe orthopedic problems. Severe CHD along 
with the Pano, not to mention his poor temperament. Certainly his pain for 
so long could have contributed to his poor temperament, but who knows? He 
was euthanized one day shy of his first birthday due to his biting a 2 year 
old child in the face. Subsequently, we learned how to find a good breeder 
and have had good temperament (and good hips) and no Pano since that time. 
Although, a pup from the second litter that Carolyn and I bred together did 
come up with a mild case of Pano. He was taken off puppy food and switched 
to adult (the puppy buyer was told to do this immediately and she did not) 
and he never had another bout with Pano, at least not one that could be 
detected. I kept in touch with my puppy buyers via telephone each month. 
Easier to do when one only has 2 litters then decides to stop breeding 
altogether. <G> Something that interests me is I wonder if bone cancer and 
Pano might not be linked somehow? Especially with the severe cases of Pano. 
Would make for some interesting research anyway. Of course, there are so 
many variables when dealing with Osteosarcoma. But, when I hear of cases of 
Osteosarcoma, and the owners have had the dog since puppyhood, I do now ask 
if the dog had Pano as a pup, and if it was mild Pano or more severe.

Barb Bowes
Chelsea (Pyr)  Twister (Pyr)
Flopsy (Pyrenean Shepherd)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
greatpyr@enter.net
http://www.penndutchrescue.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA364.html