Corns in greyhounds

Carrottom

Carrottom

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Our grey is intermittently slightly lame and looks like she is developing a corn on one pad. She will be seeing the vet but does anyone have any advice or experience please.
 
Ime, unless the corn is fully removed (even if it means losing most of if not all of the pad) it will continue to cause lameness.
 
Here are two links to read up on..
several suggestions on recognising corns and home treatments,going on to surgery etc..
Note..the surgery option is a last resort,for dogs who don’t respond the hulling( dremmeling) and other less extreme treatments..so don’t panic…it’s not likely at all for a first time corn.
Warning…gory pics showing surgery..

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

http://www.ngap.org/june2017cornupdate-y772.html


and more useful gh links
https://greytarticles.wordpress.com/medical-website-links/
………

A question for you…is she an ex racer? If so. mention this to the vet and be sure he looks at the leg as well as the foot..many come up lame on the “inside leg “they used to run on the track..the repeat pounding affects the joints and even the bone itself..check the long bone for heat or bumps.
 
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Seriously, don’t ask on here - there are lots of specialist Facebook groups if you are on FB with members who have actual experience of greyhounds with corns. It’s a difficult one and there is never an easy answer, but you can bet there is someone who can help in one of those groups ?
 
There’s a Facebook group called “greyhounds with corns” which is worth joining. Lots of different methods and advice.

The rescue I got mine from hull his corns for us regularly - they need regular maintenance - this will be ongoing throughout his life. We moisturise in between with Burt’s Bees baby ointment.

He wears these boots in xxl http://www.allforpawspet.com/Product?idvariant=470

The rescue say they are the only ones that stay on and they make a big difference, he’s much happier walking - but they are hard to get hold off.
 
Btw the rescue said that the worst possible thing to do is to get them surgically removed by the vet. Not sure why that’s the case though….
 
numptynovice said:
Btw the rescue said that the worst possible thing to do is to get them surgically removed by the vet. Not sure why that’s the case though….
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Me either? Constant lameness through pain caused by a corn is cruel. Unless completely removed, they will continue to grow. A one off removal of pad is the kinder option imo.
 
HoundFan said:
Seriously, don’t ask on here - there are lots of specialist Facebook groups if you are on FB with members who have actual experience of greyhounds with corns. It’s a difficult one and there is never an easy answer, but you can bet there is someone who can help in one of those groups ?
Click to expand...
I think most answers on here are helpful. Not sure why you bother to be a member if Facebook groups are more helpful. Btw, over thirty years of experience with sighthounds, inc greyhounds, whippets and Lurchers whom have suffered with corns so don’t bother preaching to the converted?
 
Blazingsaddles said:
Me either? Constant lameness through pain caused by a corn is cruel. Unless completely removed, they will continue to grow. A one off removal of pad is the kinder option imo.
Click to expand...

As I understood it, surgical excisions are not very successful and the corn tends to regrow in many cases. there is another operation that is recommended above surgical removal, I am no expert but there’s some info below,

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/flexor-tenotomy/
 
Bellasophia said:
Here are two links to read up on..
several suggestions on recognising corns and home treatments,going on to surgery etc..
Note..the surgery option is a last resort,for dogs who don’t respond the hulling( dremmeling) and other less extreme treatments..so don’t panic…it’s not likely at all for a first time corn.
Warning…gory pics showing surgery..

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

http://www.ngap.org/june2017cornupdate-y772.html


and more useful gh links
https://greytarticles.wordpress.com/medical-website-links/
………

A question for you…is she an ex racer? If so. mention this to the vet and be sure he looks at the leg as well as the foot..many come up lame on the “inside leg “they used to run on the track..the repeat pounding affects the joints and even the bone itself..check the long bone for heat or bumps.
Click to expand...
Very interesting links
 
Blazingsaddles said:
I think most answers on here are helpful. Not sure why you bother to be a member if Facebook groups are more helpful. Btw, over thirty years of experience with sighthounds, inc greyhounds, whippets and Lurchers whom have suffered with corns so don’t bother preaching to the converted?
Click to expand...

How very rude ?
 
numptynovice said:
As I understood it, surgical excisions are not very successful and the corn tends to regrow in many cases. there is another operation that is recommended above surgical removal, I am no expert but there’s some info below,

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/flexor-tenotomy/
Click to expand...
I had to resort to complete pad removal after several unsuccessful attempts by my vet to remove the corn completely. No issues inc mechanical lameness after total removal.
 
Blazingsaddles said:
I had to resort to complete pad removal after several unsuccessful attempts by my vet to remove the corn completely. No issues inc mechanical lameness after total removal.
Click to expand...

I think the experience you describe above is why my rescue don’t recommend surgical excision - often not successful and can lead to more drastic surgery being required. I’ve also read of people having the toe amputated only for the corn to reappear on another toe.

My boy is currently fine with regular hulling + boots when walking but I am interested in the tendon surgery should we not be able to keep him comfortable.
 
numptynovice said:
I think the experience you describe above is why my rescue don’t recommend surgical excision - often not successful and can lead to more drastic surgery being required. I’ve also read of people having the toe amputated only for the corn to reappear on another toe.

My boy is currently fine with regular hulling + boots when walking but I am interested in the tendon surgery should we not be able to keep him comfortable.
Click to expand...
Yes, my MIL whom also kept sighthounds also had complete toe removal on a couple of her dogs. The corn is parsnip shaped. Strange things.
 
numptynovice said:
As I understood it, surgical excisions are not very successful and the corn tends to regrow in many cases. there is another operation that is recommended above surgical removal, I am no expert but there’s some info below,

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/flexor-tenotomy/
Click to expand...
As I’ve stated, digging out the corn does not work. Pad remova
numptynovice said:
As I understood it, surgical excisions are not very successful and the corn tends to regrow in many cases. there is another operation that is recommended above surgical removal, I am no expert but there’s some info below,

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/corns/

https://www.greyhoundhealthinitiative.org/flexor-tenotomy/
Click to expand...

Which is what I’ve stated. Digging out a corn will never get rid of it. Pad and or toe removal is the only option regarding the dogs best interests. Hulling, shaving, booting the foot is just a maintenance measure. I’ve never had an issue with pad/toe removal.
 
numptynovice said:
I think the experience you describe above is why my rescue don’t recommend surgical excision - often not successful and can lead to more drastic surgery being required. I’ve also read of people having the toe amputated only for the corn to reappear on another toe.

My boy is currently fine with regular hulling + boots when walking but I am interested in the tendon surgery should we not be able to keep him comfortable.
Click to expand...

Removal of a toe/pad is not the cause for further corns to appear on remaining toes/pads. I suspect ‘corns’ on dogs are caused by a dormant virus.
 
Removing the toe helps that one but the pressure is then different causing an increased risk of corns elsewhere. The best thing seems to be cutting the ligament and tendon under the affected toe - much quicker than removing the digit one tiny 0.5cm incision and a stitch. This changes the pressures on the toe and causes the corn to fall out and not reform.

https://www.mikeguilliard.co.uk/copy-of-dysplasia-article-1
 
fiestiemaestie said:
Removing the toe helps that one but the pressure is then different causing an increased risk of corns elsewhere. The best thing seems to be cutting the ligament and tendon under the affected toe - much quicker than removing the digit one tiny 0.5cm incision and a stitch. This changes the pressures on the toe and causes the corn to fall out and not reform.

https://www.mikeguilliard.co.uk/copy-of-dysplasia-article-1
Click to expand...
Copied from the study
3. By increasing the weight distribution onto the other pads is there a further risk of subsequent corn development?

Some dogs have a genetic tendency to develop multiple corns and at present there is no evidence to support this assumption. Possibly there is an increased risk of one developing in the same foot but there are not enough cases to determine this.
 
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