Young dogs are rambunctious, and they can hurt themselves if they overdo it. But what if your puppy suddenly becomes lame for no apparent reason?

It could be due to panosteitis [pan-ăs-tē-Ī-tus], a painful inflammation of long bones in the leg. It’s especially common in young, fast-growing, large breeds and is sometimes dismissed as “growing pains.” A classic sign is lameness that crops up in different legs at varying times.

Panosteitis typically waxes and wanes until it spontaneously resolves when the dog is about two years old. The cause is unknown, but genetics may be involved in some breeds.

There’s no specific treatment either, although pain may need to be addressed with analgesics and/or anti-inflammatories. Reach out to your veterinarian if you have specific questions about panosteitis or the best way to care for your pup.