Help Us Solve the Mystery of Paw Pad Corns

UK Greyhound Owners Needed!

At The Greyhound Health Initiative, we're committed to ending the pain of paw pad corns in greyhounds—and we need your help.

Thanks to the incredible support from our US community, we've collected valuable saliva samples that have helped advance our understanding of corn formation. Now, to strengthen the research and uncover the genetic factors behind this painful condition, we're expanding our sample collection to the UK.

🧬 Why This Study Matters

Paw pad corns are a debilitating condition affecting thousands of retired racers and companion greyhounds. Our research, led by Dr. Richard Doughty and Dr. Frode Lingaas of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, has confirmed that corn formation is polygenic—meaning multiple genes are involved. That makes the search for answers more complex, but also more urgent.

By comparing DNA from dogs with and without corns, we aim to identify genetic markers that could lead to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

📬 Who We're Looking For

We're currently seeking saliva samples from:

• Greyhounds 8 years or older with no history of paw pad corns
• Dogs who have not participated in this study in the past 4 years

If your dog qualifies, we'll send you a swab kit with simple instructions for collecting a saliva sample. It's quick, painless, and could help change the future for greyhounds everywhere.

UK Participants: How to Join

Email jessica@greyhoundhealthinitiative.org to request your swab kit and be part of this groundbreaking study.

💙 Every Sample Counts

Whether your dog has suffered from corns or has never had them, your participation helps us build a clearer genetic picture. Together, we can move closer to a world where no greyhound has to suffer from this painful condition.

🔗 Learn more about the research by clicking the button below:

Thank you for being part of the solution.

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