ASK THE VET
Q: My nine-year-old female whippet has a corn on the third pad of her right foot and it is very painful for her.
She’s had this for seven years and I would be grateful for any advice you may have to manage this horrible infliction.
I file it down and put Bazuka on it to keep it at bay but sometimes she limps and it hurts me to think she’s in pain.
She finds it very painful to walk on hard ground and prefers grass. DONNA MAINS, Blaydon
A: Corns on a whippet’s feet are not uncommon, yet poorly understood. There are three theories as to the cause: a) A type of pressure sore b) A foreign body reaction within the paw c) A papilloma virus (verruca) I am unaware of any evidence that papilloma viruses have been found in corn lesions when they have been looked for.
Bazuka is not licensed for use in dogs. However, if a papilloma virus were to be the cause, Bazuka would be a logical treatment. As the problem has persisted, there is no evidence of papilloma virus involvement and Bazuka is not licensed for use in dogs, I would advise against continuing with this treatment unless you have been recommended to do so by a veterinary surgeon.
If the cause is a foreign body within the paw, surgical excision may be curative. This would also be the case if it were a papilloma virus, so the next step in my mind would be to attempt surgical excision.
Use of padded dog boots and keeping walks to soft ground may help prevent the recurrence post operatively.
Unfortunately recurrence is quite common in some dogs. Liquid silicone implants are being researched as a possible future therapy for prevention of recurrence but are not readily available.
Please note that advice in this section is for general guidance, and if your pet is very unwell you should contact your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible as this advice does not replace the need for a clinical examination of your pet.
Rory Thomson is part of the team at St Clair Veterinary Care in Croft Road, Blyth.
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