Signs, Causes And Treatments For Canine Papillomas (Warts) - Canine Campus Dog Daycare & Boarding

Canine Campus has received a few (3-4) reports of canine oral papillamos in enrolled dogs recently. It’s important that you understand what canine oral papillomas is, causes, risks and treatment.

What is Canine Papillomas?

Papillomas sounds like a serious disease, but it’s actually just the medical term for warts. Warts are a collection of abnormal cells that grow on the body. While a diagnosis of canine warts is rarely serious, it’s still worth your attention, mostly to make sure the lump is not a cancerous tumor. Oral papillomas are warts that grow in or around the mouth.

What Do Canine Warts Look Like?

The papillomas viruses cause skin and mouth growths that resemble a cauliflower.

What Causes Canine Papillomas?

Warts are caused by a virus that is transmitted through any type of direct contact, such as greeting each other, sharing toys or eating/drinking out of the same food or water bowl.

Is My Dog At-Risk?

All dogs are assumed to have been exposed to canine papillomas viruses. However, if you see a lump that looks like a wart it is most likely the result of an inadequate immune system response to the virus. Dogs with a strong immune system do not typically develop papillomatosis.

There are three groups of dogs that are at risk for papillomas.

1. Young dogs under the age of 2

Young dogs are more susceptible to warts because their immune system is not fully developed. As their immune system matures, they produce antibodies against the virus and the warts generally disappear eventually.

2. Older dogs

Older dogs can develop warts as part of the aging process. Most of the time these are not actually warts when biopsied; they are usually sebaceous ademomas. These should be surgically removed if they routinely bleed or become irritated, or if they grow on the eyelid and rub on the eye.

Papillomas on aging dogs can be a gauge on how well the immune system is functioning. There is some evidence that vaccines may be implicated in the development of papillomatosis, another good reason to avoid unnecessary vaccinations for your dog.

3. Dogs with suppressed immune systems

Dogs that are given immunosuppressive drugs (such as glucocorticoids like prednisone) may experience a flare up of papillomas.

Diagnosis of the Papilloma Virus in Dogs

It’s always a good idea to bring your dog to the veterinarian if you notice any abnormal lump or bump. Your veterinarian can usually diagnose canine oral papilloma by sight, but sometimes he or she may want to have the growth biopsied to ensure it is not something else more serious.

Treatment of Warts in Dogs

Most of the time, no treatment is needed. However, if the wart becomes infected it will be painful for the dog and will require a course of antibiotics to address the infection. Sometimes, especially in very young dogs, the puppy will have so many warts that eating becomes difficult and painful. If this happens, the warts will have to be surgically removed or treated with cryotherapy (freezing). Most cases of canine papillomas go away on their own in 1-5 months.

Can Humans be Infected by Canine Warts?

Canine papillomas is a species-specific disease so warts cannot be transmitted to people or other species of animals (like cats).

If you notice a strange-looking growth around or in your dog’s mouth – or anywhere on his or her body – we encourage you to make an appointment to visit your veterinarian.

Has your dog had canine warts? Did they go away on its own or did your dog need treatment? Please share your experience with the Canine Campus community in the comments below.