Are corns ever just a "one and done"? Updated with pic

[ramonaghan]

I think Willa has a corn on her front left foot. I don't see a distinct border yet but there are some telltale signs, like limping on rough surfaces and a hard-feeling spot in the pad. Miss Jan graciously sent us a boot to try and I've joined the Greyhounds with Corns FB group. We're doing Bag Balm and colloidal silver. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had a greyhound with a corn that resolved and never came back, or it's always a lifelong affliction. (Give me some hope, people! )

Edited February 11, 2023 by ramonaghan

[HeyRunDog]

The flexor tendoctomy operation seems to be the flavour of the month as a cure. Guinness had it done before I adopted him and that toe has remained corn free since although he has one on his other front foot so might consider having it done to that toe too.

Grace on the other hand has suffered with corns for over 5 years often having 3 on each of her front feet. I have tried everything apart from the flexor tendoctomy operation as she wouldn't have any operational toes left and nothing really works so I just manage the condition by taking her in the car to the park for walks.

I believe some dogs are lucky in that once it comes out it doesn't come back or they grow out of it. I hope Willa is one of the lucky ones.

[Time4ANap]

Petunia had them constantly and I think that Kate also had them if I'm remembering correctly. 

I think there's a thread somewhere talking about using the Burt's Bees Hand Salve to soften them. I know that's what Miss Petunia had rubbed into her pads every night for her "corns spa treatment."

[Houndtime]

I use the "Duck" tape method.  And, it must be Duck tape brand or it doesn't work.  The corn softens and can easily be scraped out even with my fingernail.  But, alas, it does return, but my dog does get a few weeks of relief.  I have been lucky, in that, my corn dogs have only had one each to contend with.

[greyhoundparty]

On 1/28/2023 at 10:46 AM, ramonaghan said:

I think Willa has a corn on her front left foot. I don't see a distinct border yet but there are some telltale signs, like limping on rough surfaces and a hard-feeling spot in the pad. Miss Jan graciously sent us a boot to try and I've joined the Greyhounds with Corns FB group. We're doing Bag Balm and colloidal silver. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had a greyhound with a corn that resolved and never came back, or it's always a lifelong affliction. (Give me some hope, people! )

We got the flexor tenotomy done and yes the operated toes never have had corns come back. But her opposing toes did get some corns. Overall though she is so much more comfortable after the surgery than before. 7 corn toes total, never went away, always came back, until the FT procedure. 

[ramonaghan]

Thanks for the replies! For now we're still mostly in "watch and wait" mode, but I have Duck tape and boots handy if and when this thing starts to emerge. I definitely feel "something" if I squeeze the pad, but I can't get clear margins on it. We'll keep up the paw balm and if we're at the vet anytime soon, I'll get their opinion. They see a lot of greys and thus a lot of corns.

Edited January 31, 2023 by ramonaghan

[greyhoundparty]

10 hours ago, ramonaghan said:

Thanks for the replies! For now we're still mostly in "watch and wait" mode, but I have Duck tape and boots handy if and when this thing starts to emerge. I definitely feel "something" if I squeeze the pad, but I can't get clear margins on it. We'll keep up the paw balm and if we're at the vet anytime soon, I'll get their opinion. They see a lot of greys and thus a lot of corns.

My biggest concern with the FT surgery was anesthesia but besides that the healing was super easy for my girl! It did take a few months for the corns to fully fall out from the deep roots but once they did it was an amazing change in her walking abilities. She was very hobbled by corns before surgery. Her pads after surgery were finally soft and normal. 

[greysmom]

I must have forgotten to hit post several days ago.  Just FYI

 

Very very very occasionally you will see a corn resolve after being removed, but unless you address the underlying ligament issue causing the altered gait they will almost always come back.

In the FB group you'll see mention of the Flexor Tenotomy surgery.  This minor surgical procedure basically cuts the toe tendon to the corn toe, releasing the tension causing the corn - basically artificially creating a sprung toe.  This will (usually) cure the corn for good, though it doesn't stop corns from popping up on adjacent toes or other feet.

[Scooby172]

My last greyhound Jack was a corn dog.  He was older when he got the corns, I tried colloidal silver, soaks, boots, bag balm, nail polish and duct tape.  For me the best solution was Burt's Bees Hand salve to soften then a dental root elevator (bought from amazon) to get the corns out when ready.  It was a constant process, luckily Jack was cooperative with corn maintenance.  If I had another dog with corns I would not hesitate to use the tenotomy surgery.  I joined the FB group, it provided great advice and support.  Good luck.

[ramonaghan]

After a couple of weeks of colloidal silver, I think this booger's starting to emerge. There was no border before. What say the experts?

Edited February 11, 2023 by ramonaghan

[FiveRoooooers]

Annnd, there’s your corn. Good job!

[ramonaghan]

9 hours ago, FiveRoooooers said:

Annnd, there’s your corn. Good job!

  
Thank you for confirming. 

Oh, someone on the Facebook group mentioned the nails: we're working on them. This girl's quicks are *right there* and I have quicked her every time I cut her nails. We've just started dremeling instead and I'm hoping that helps them recede. 

[greyhoundparty]

21 hours ago, ramonaghan said:

After a couple of weeks of colloidal silver, I think this booger's starting to emerge. There was no border before. What say the experts?

Yep definitely a corn! For my girl, the smaller ones seemed to be deeper and more painful for her than the big ones. It was a constant affliction until the flexor tenotomy, which took me years to work up the courage to do for her. I’m sorry you have a corn baby also. 

[ramonaghan]

15 hours ago, greyhoundparty said:

Yep definitely a corn! For my girl, the smaller ones seemed to be deeper and more painful for her than the big ones. It was a constant affliction until the flexor tenotomy, which took me years to work up the courage to do for her. I’m sorry you have a corn baby also. 

Thank you. We see the vet later this month, so we'll see what he says.  

[greyhoundparty]

7 minutes ago, ramonaghan said:

Thank you. We see the vet later this month, so we'll see what he says.  

Our corn kids are just trying to help feed the family with their constant grain production 

[ramonaghan]

3 minutes ago, greyhoundparty said:

Our corn kids are just trying to help feed the family with their constant grain production 

 Gives a new meaning to "frito feet."

[greyhoundparty]

9 minutes ago, ramonaghan said:

 Gives a new meaning to "frito feet."

So true!! Good one