Canine Warts

" Canine Warts are a common occurrence and is contagious to other dogs through direct or indirect contact. They have several causes, such as viral papilloma and environmental reactions. Usually, dog warts are not treated, unless they are causing the dog some discomfort. If the wart begins to bleed or becomes infected then they can be surgically removed by a vet. "

Cause of Warts on Dogs:

Canine warts can be caused by a variety of things. One of the most common causes is the papilloma virus, a common virus found in dogs. there are three types of papilloma virus. The virus can be present in a dog’s system for up to two months before the warts appear, and generally go away on their own. Other causes of warts include allergies, vaccinations, reactions to medications and air pollutants.

Signs and Symptoms of Warts on Dogs:

Dog warts start as small papules that then form into warts. Canine warts are generally found when you are grooming or petting your dog. Different from a tumor or cyst, warts are on the surface of the dog’s skin. They tend to take on a cauliflower shape, can be the same color as the dog’s skin or have a yellowish or whitish color. Sometimes they occur in clusters. Dog warts can be present on any part of a dog’s body, but are most often found on the face near the eyes, inside the mouth or nose or on or near the dog’s reproductive organs.  

Canine Warts start as Dog Skin Papules (shown here). Papules refer to any round elevated area on the skin that do not contain puss

Dogs older than 2 years of age usually have an immunity to oral warts (dog mouth warts).

Diagnosis of Warts on Dogs:

A veterinarian can diagnose a wart with a visual examination. Your vet might remove a bit of the wart tissue to perform a biopsy to check if the wart is benign or cancerous.

Treatment of Warts on Dogs:

Generally, canine warts do not require treatment. Most warts do not bother the dog and in many cases, go away naturally on their own. Furthermore, since dog wart removal is a surgical procedure, most vets will only remove warts as part of another surgical procedure. However, if you notice your dog licking or chewing the wart or the wart is bleeding or infected, then the wart should be removed.

A veterinarian can perform a surgical procedure to freeze and remove the wart called cryosurgery or perform electrosurgery, which consists of burning off the wart with an electric current, such as a laser.

What You Can Do At Home:

If the wart is not causing your dog any discomfort, no action needs to be taken. However, a periodic inspection of the wart to ensure it is not growing, infected or bleeding is recommended. If however, the wart was surgically removed, it is imperative to keep your dog from licking or chewing the wound, and proper cleaning and dressing of the wound is necessary. You vet will provide you with the necessary procedures. 

To lessen the chances of the warts returning, adding a vitamin supplement to your dog’s diet can boost his immune system. Also, a supportive homeopathic remedy such as Skin and Coat Tonic, when used regularly, can reduce the chance of your dog forming papillomas and will help maintain the dog’s skin strength.

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References:

 A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology, Carter G.R. and Wise D.J. (Eds.). International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca, NY