Greyhound Lameness: Common Causes in Retired Greyhounds & How Forestside Vets Can Help

At Forestside Vets in South Belfast, we regularly welcome retired greyhounds - gentle, affectionate companions who deserve a happy and pain-free retirement. One of the most frequent concerns from owners is lameness, or limping.

Whether it’s subtle toe-touching, hesitation on walks, or an obvious refusal to bear weight, lameness in greyhounds is rarely just “old age.” These dogs have a unique build, physiology, and medical history - often shaped by years of racing - and their care should reflect that.

Let’s take a look at the most common causes of lameness in greyhounds, and how our greyhound-experienced team at Forestside Vets can help.

Senior vet Rory with retired racing greyhound Scipio

1. Corns – A Greyhound-Specific lameness

Corns are painful, hard lesions that form on the pads of a greyhound’s feet, often due to pressure and wear from racing. They’re a largely greyhound-specific condition and a leading cause of chronic lameness.

You might notice:

• Limping on hard surfaces

• “Toe-touching” posture when standing

• Licking or chewing at a paw

  
  

Treatments include:

• Grinding or manual coring

• Protective boots

• Topical salicylic acid

• SDFT surgery (Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon surgery) - now considered the gold standard treatment for corns

🩺 SDFT Surgery for Greyhound Corns

In many cases, we may recommend Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon surgery. This involves cutting the tendon that curls the affected toe, reducing pressure on the corn-prone pad. It’s a targeted solution that can significantly improve comfort and mobility in greyhounds with corns.

This is a specialised procedure, and our team includes a vet who has worked in a dedicated greyhound clinic in Australia, offering valuable first-hand experience in assessing and performing surgeries for greyhound-specific conditions.

2. Foreign Bodies in the Pads

Small gravel foreign bodies in the pads of feet can cause severe acute lameness

Greyhounds often pick up grass seeds, splinters, or gravel in their pads or between their toes, thanks to their thin, dry paw skin. These tiny invaders can cause sudden-onset limping and persistent licking or chewing at a foot.

If untreated, they may lead to infection or abscesses. In many cases, removal needs to be done under sedation, especially if the object is deep or the dog is in significant discomfort.

3. Osteoarthritis – Not Just “Old Age”

Osteoarthritis is common in older greyhounds, especially those with past racing injuries. It affects joints like the hips, knees, and wrists, and can lead to:

• Stiffness or slower movements

• Avoiding stairs or slippery floors

• Decreased enthusiasm for walks

  
  

Greyhounds may hide pain well, so subtle signs shouldn’t be ignored. At Forestside Vets, we create personalised arthritis management plans that may include:

• Joint supplements

• Anti-inflammatory medication

• Controlled exercise and weight management

• Physiotherapy or acupuncture

  
  

Our team understands the wear-and-tear patterns typical in retired racing greyhounds, allowing for targeted, breed-appropriate treatment.

4. Musculoskeletal Injuries – Lingering or New

Even after retirement, greyhounds can suffer from strains, sprains, or old injury flare-ups - especially in muscles like the iliopsoas (hip flexor) or gracilis (inner thigh). These injuries can be subtle, causing intermittent limping or shortened stride length.

Soft tissue injuries often don’t show on x-rays, making accurate diagnosis dependent on a vet familiar with greyhound biomechanics. We’re proud to offer this expertise in-house.

Greyhounds Are Different – Choose a Vet Who Understands Them

Greyhounds aren’t just large dogs with thin coats - they have unique anatomy, drug sensitivities, and gait characteristics. Misinterpreting these differences can lead to misdiagnosis or ineffective treatment.

That’s why choosing a vet with greyhound-specific training can make all the difference.

🐾 Let Us Help Your Greyhound Live a Comfortable, Active Retirement

📍 Based in South Belfast, Forestside Vets serves clients across Forestside, Newtownbreda, Carryduff, and beyond.

🩺 If your greyhound is limping or uncomfortable, book a consult with Rory, who brings hands-on experience from his time working in a dedicated greyhound clinic in Australia.

From treating removing foreign bodies to performing SDFT surgery, Rory understands what it takes to keep these gentle athletes moving comfortably.

👉 Book a check up | 📞 028 90 184 317 | 🌐 www.forestsidevets.com