North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

Panosteitis is a condition commonly seen in young, large-breed dogs, particularly in those between the ages of 5 to 18 months. It is characterized by inflammation of the long bones, causing pain and lameness that can shift from limb to limb. In this case, the one-year-old German Shepherd exhibiting acute lameness that shifts between legs fits well within the typical presentation of panosteitis.

In panosteitis, the lameness is often intermittent and may affect different legs at different times, leading to the shifting nature of symptoms observed in this scenario. The acute onset of lameness aligns with the typical characteristics of this condition.

Other conditions, while relevant to orthopedic issues in dogs, either present with different clinical signs or affect dogs outside of the typical age or breed predispositions. For example, multiple cartilaginous exostoses often leads to visible growths on bones but does not typically cause shifting lameness. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy usually presents more severe symptoms such as swelling and pain around the joints rather than shifting lameness. Hypertrophic osteopathy generally involves the presence of underlying conditions leading to periosteal bone formation and does not typically result in acute lameness