Corns in dogs; signalment, possible aetiology and response to surgical treatment

To describe the signalment and response to surgical treatment, and to propose aetiopathogenetic mechanisms for the development of paw pad corns in dogs.

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.

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).

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.