DEVELOPMENTAL JOINT DISEASES
Greyhounds have a very low risk of developmental joint disease. Degenerative ACL (CCL) injuries are also rare. A low genetic risk explains why there’s no evidence linking habitual exercise or neutering and joint disease in this breed.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) publishes inherited condition statistics. Greyhounds have such a low risk of elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation that they are unclassified for these conditions.
CORNS AND CANCER
Corns are the commonest cause of chronic forelimb lameness and occasionally cause hindlimb lameness. Malignant bone cancer is suspected in mature Greyhounds with severe lameness or spontaneous fractures without major trauma.
Greyhounds are ranked #6 for bone cancer. Forelimb tumours are more common than hindlimb tumours. A common presentation involves pathological fracture of a weak bone occurring during normal exercise. Average age of dogs with bone cancer is 6.2y. Average age of Greyhounds with corns is 5.7 years (range 2-15 years). Multiple corns are common. Approximately one quarter of affected dogs have multiple corns, and 9/10 affect the forelimb. Corns are diagnosed using a careful physical exam. There are several treatment options.
SPECIFIC PROBLEMS
-
Corns are common in Greyhounds. Lameness is often worse on rough ground.
Other foot problems including broken nails and toe injuries are common.
Malignant bone cancer is a common cause of severe pain and lameness. Cancer is the commonest cause of euthanasia in Greyhounds.
-
Greyhounds were ranked #44 for ACL injuries in a US hospital database.
Ankle (hock) fractures and post-traumatic arthritis are common in ex-racing Greyhounds.
