GREYHOUNDS ARE DIFFERENT
Leg, Skeletal Issues and Limping
The GreySave 866 medical call in line receives a significant number of calls from people whose greyhounds have started to limp, hold up their leg or foot or act very stiff. This is a somewhat common phone call since many greys seem to have an occasional limping episode. Limping that seems to come and go should not be ignored and a sudden onset of limping may signal the beginning of a life-threatening event. As you might guess the cause of sore limbs and limping can range from simple to catastrophic, and should be considered in a step-by-step systematic way and with a veterinarian that has true greyhound knowledge.
The first thing to consider is recent falls, muscle pulls, leg twists, or an old injury that has flared up. Since most of the older greys come off the track with some sort of career-ending injury you just never know what may get sore as they age. Soreness could be as simple as the onset of arthritis in those track pounded bones and joints. Plus, you may have noticed that retired greyhounds don’t seem to be the most graceful of dogs with their long legs, goofy attitudes, odd sleeping poses and occasional high speeds!
The second thing to consider and check is your grey’s footpads looking for corns! Yes, greyhounds get corns on one or more their soft footpads. And for some reason no one, especially vets, ever think to look there when their grey is limping. To add to that confusion when corns are first forming they are very hard to detect and just look like a small spot of discolored footpad that hurts when you push on it. Corns are somewhat of a mystery as to cause or why greyhounds get them. We don’t see greyhounds coming right off the track with corns but have had retired grey brood moms show up with one or more. Corns tend to show up after your greyhound is retired and walking around in the tough new world of concrete and hot top. In general, if your greyhound develops corns they are buggers to get rid of. Enough so, that there are plenty of articles online about various methods or treatments and possible eradication and there is even a Facebook page dedicated to corns in Greyhounds. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Greyhoundswithcorns/
What seems to be most successful is to find a vet that knows how to spot them, dig them out without a general anesthetic and then buy your grey a cute pair of Thera-Paw booties! For more information on corns go to (link to our corns page).
After basic injuries and corns, the next thing to consider is Coccidiodomycosis commonly known as Valley fever. Valley fever is a fungal disease caused by a spore that lives in the desert and when inhaled it can target the lungs and/or bones. Since Coccidiodomycosis is not common in southern California, except for Bakersfield and other desert areas, the local vets may not even think of it or seriously consider it if you mention it. If that happens find a vet that will at least test for it. The problem with Valley fever is that there is a chance of it getting misdiagnosed as Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, which it resembles on an x-ray. GreySave tests all of our retirees from Tucson for Valley fever when they come in, but that doesn’t mean yours can’t get exposed after adoption, especially if you live in a windy area or the high desert. Valley fever is easily treated with meds, so if you have a grey that is limping and/or coughing, get a valley fever blood test done immediately and don’t let your vet jump to the conclusion that your grey has Osteosarcoma. If your vet is reluctant, find another. We know of several cases of misdiagnosis by very experienced vets.
And lastly and unfortunately, osteosarcoma is always a possibility, but before you panic make sure you and your vet check for ALL the other possibilities. If your greyhound is diagnosed with osteosarcoma please contact the GreySave 866 medical line as we have quite a bit of experience with the newer treatments and can be very supportive.
For more information on corns see (link to our corn info page)
For more information on Valley Fever see (link to our cocci info page)
For more information on osteosarcoma see http://greythealth.com/osteo.html
The GreySave 866 medical call in line receives a significant number of calls from people whose greyhounds have started to limp, hold up their leg or foot or act very stiff. This is a somewhat common phone call since many greys seem to have an occasional limping episode. Limping that seems to come and go should not be ignored and a sudden onset of limping may signal the beginning of a life-threatening event. As you might guess the cause of sore limbs and limping can range from simple to catastrophic, and should be considered in a step-by-step systematic way and with a veterinarian that has true greyhound knowledge.
The first thing to consider is recent falls, muscle pulls, leg twists, or an old injury that has flared up. Since most of the older greys come off the track with some sort of career-ending injury you just never know what may get sore as they age. Soreness could be as simple as the onset of arthritis in those track pounded bones and joints. Plus, you may have noticed that retired greyhounds don’t seem to be the most graceful of dogs with their long legs, goofy attitudes, odd sleeping poses and occasional high speeds!
The second thing to consider and check is your grey’s footpads looking for corns! Yes, greyhounds get corns on one or more their soft footpads. And for some reason no one, especially vets, ever think to look there when their grey is limping. To add to that confusion when corns are first forming they are very hard to detect and just look like a small spot of discolored footpad that hurts when you push on it. Corns are somewhat of a mystery as to cause or why greyhounds get them. We don’t see greyhounds coming right off the track with corns but have had retired grey brood moms show up with one or more. Corns tend to show up after your greyhound is retired and walking around in the tough new world of concrete and hot top. In general, if your greyhound develops corns they are buggers to get rid of. Enough so, that there are plenty of articles online about various methods or treatments and possible eradication and there is even a Facebook page dedicated to corns in Greyhounds. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Greyhoundswithcorns/
What seems to be most successful is to find a vet that knows how to spot them, dig them out without a general anesthetic and then buy your grey a cute pair of Thera-Paw booties! For more information on corns go to (link to our corns page).
After basic injuries and corns, the next thing to consider is Coccidiodomycosis commonly known as Valley fever. Valley fever is a fungal disease caused by a spore that lives in the desert and when inhaled it can target the lungs and/or bones. Since Coccidiodomycosis is not common in southern California, except for Bakersfield and other desert areas, the local vets may not even think of it or seriously consider it if you mention it. If that happens find a vet that will at least test for it. The problem with Valley fever is that there is a chance of it getting misdiagnosed as Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, which it resembles on an x-ray. GreySave tests all of our retirees from Tucson for Valley fever when they come in, but that doesn’t mean yours can’t get exposed after adoption, especially if you live in a windy area or the high desert. Valley fever is easily treated with meds, so if you have a grey that is limping and/or coughing, get a valley fever blood test done immediately and don’t let your vet jump to the conclusion that your grey has Osteosarcoma. If your vet is reluctant, find another. We know of several cases of misdiagnosis by very experienced vets.
And lastly and unfortunately, osteosarcoma is always a possibility, but before you panic make sure you and your vet check for ALL the other possibilities. If your greyhound is diagnosed with osteosarcoma please contact the GreySave 866 medical line as we have quite a bit of experience with the newer treatments and can be very supportive.
For more information on corns see (link to our corn info page)
For more information on Valley Fever see (link to our cocci info page)
For more information on osteosarcoma see http://greythealth.com/osteo.html
Greyhounds & Heatstroke
Happy Tails
Skin Issues & Foxtails
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Blood Chemistry
Digestive Issues
Anesthesia & Medicine
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Greyhounds & Bleeding Issues
Poison, Toxins & Metabolism
Eye & Nail Issues
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Greyhound Teeth/Dental Tips
Corns
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