Dog Warts
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
The condition of dog warts is termed papillomatosis.
Papillomavirus (PV) causes some of the skin and mucous membrane
tumours that affect dogs. Once exposed to the virus, months may
pass before lesions develop. Warts, papillomas or verrucae are
usually benign growths and generally regress on their own over a
few months to a few years. Very rarely, they may transform into a
malignancy such as squamous cell carcinoma (cancer).
There is usually more than one lesion present in an affected
animal. If a large number is present in the oral cavity, reduced
appetite, difficulty eating and excess salivation may be noted.
The color of warts is variable, ranging from pale, to deeply
pigmented lesions.
Unless the tumours are interfering with eating or are causing
discomfort, warts are generally left alone to regress, otherwise
removal by cryosurgery or excision of lesions is performed. When
outbreaks occur within kennels, an autogenous vaccine is
sometimes produced to help control the virus. This vaccine is
produced from the virus present in that particular outbreak.
It is important to keep an eye on warts to monitor changes in
size or appearance. A sudden change may reflect transformation to
a malignancy. Sudden changes can also be caused by other factors
such as trauma and infection. A veterinarian will likely
recommend removal of such a lesion for biopsy.
Young dogs and immunocompromised dogs are at greater risk of
contracting papillomatosis. Affected dogs should be kept separate
from susceptible dogs. Those with oral tumours (particularly)
should not share drinking bowls.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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