Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical treatment for paw pad corns in greyhound dogs
By Guilliard, M J et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2010·Nantwich Vet Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Corns in dogs; signalment, possible aetiology and response to surgical treatment.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of greyhounds and sighthounds aged 2 to 15 years were brought in for painful corns on their paw pads, which caused chronic limping. Most of these corns were located on the front feet, particularly on the third and fourth toes. The dogs underwent surgical treatments, with most receiving excision of the corns. Unfortunately, over half of the dogs experienced a recurrence of the corns after surgery, but a few had good outcomes with a different procedure called distal digital ostectomy. While surgery may not always prevent future issues, it can provide relief for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog paw pad corn treatment · greyhound limping · dog corn surgery outcome
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the signalment and response to surgical treatment, and to propose aetiopathogenetic mechanisms for the development of paw pad corns in dogs. METHODS: A combined retrospective and prospective study was conducted on 30 dogs that presented with paw pad corns. The age, breed and gender of the dogs, together with anatomical positions of the corns were recorded. Surgical treatments involved either excision (n=27) or distal digital ostectomy (n=3). The minimum follow-up period was one year. RESULTS: The age at presentation was from two to 15 years. All the breeds in this study were either greyhounds or sighthounds. Males were over-represented. Ninety percent of the corns were found in the digital pads of digits three and four, and 90% were found in the thoracic limbs. The evidence suggests a mechanical aetiology or foreign body penetration. Long-term response to surgical excision resulted in a recurrence rate of more than 50% (n=27). Distal digital ostectomy gave good results in selective cases (n=3). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Corns can cause severe chronic lameness in greyhounds and related breeds. Long-term response to surgical treatments is disappointing but it is recommended as an initial treatment as it can be curative.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20406358/