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Some Greyhounds suffer from corns. What exactly are corns? And why do they often occur in greyhounds?

What are corns?

Corns are comparable to a callus on the foot. They are hard spikes in the pad of a dog’s paw. It often starts as a small spot that gradually grows larger and eventually breaks through the paw pad. A dog’s paw contains many nerve endings, and corns can be very painful. You can compare it to having a pebble in your shoe. It’s especially painful when pressure is applied to the affected toe. A softer surface can help relieve some of the pain.

How does a dog get a corn?

It’s not entirely clear why corns develop. It’s possible they are caused by a foreign object lodging itself in the paw pad, which then leads to the formation of a hard callus layer. Another theory is that Greyhounds lack enough fat in their paw pads, causing pressure between the toe and the pad.

Corns in Greyhounds

Not all dog breeds develop corns. Unfortunately, they are common in Sighthounds, especially Greyhounds or mixes. The age or gender of the dog doesn’t seem to play a role in the development of corns.

How do I know if my dog has a corn?

Not all veterinarians are familiar with corns since they are not common in most dogs. If you notice your dog limping or in pain with a paw, it’s wise to check the paw pads. Corns are often round and have a slightly raised edge. Also, pay attention to when your dog shows symptoms: walking on softer surfaces, like grass or carpet, will cause less pain than walking on asphalt or concrete. Notice if your dog prefers walking on softer ground.

What can be done about corns?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy, one-size-fits-all solution. In some dogs, corns keep recurring. The first option often used is to have the corn removed by a veterinarian. This is typically done with an instrument that gently lifts and removes the corn. A small hole will be left in the paw pad, but the procedure is not painful and doesn’t require anesthesia. Some people use a Dremel or file to smooth the corn down to the level of the paw pad or apply a softening ointment. This can provide relief but doesn’t solve the underlying problem.

Sometimes, the corn is surgically removed by cutting open the pad. Healing from this can be difficult, and the corn may return anyway. The last resort is to amputate the toe. However, this does not guarantee that the corn won’t develop on another toe.