Warts in Dogs
Canine Viral Papillomatosis
Warts are unpleasant to look at but are usually
not worrisome
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Dogs can get warts usually caused by one
of the Papovaviridae family of viruses. The most common occur in the mouths of young
dogs. They can appear in multiples or singly depending on the type. Other
warts can appear on the abdomen and occasionally on the footpads. While multiple
warts in younger dogs are likely caused by a virus, single warts in older dogs may not be.
Warts can look like pieces of pinkish chewing gum in the corner
of the mouth and can, when appearing in clusters, look like cauliflower.
Since they can grow quickly they have large amounts of blood flowing to them and
can bleed easily which could lead to infection.
Most warts will go away without treatment
as your dog's immune system will combat them. This could take 3 months or
more and some warts may not disappear at all.
If the warts appear to bother your dog
(interfering with eating and swallowing) you should ask your vet about surgical removal.
Warts rarely become cancerous.
The virus is contagious to other dogs so
infected dogs should have their own food and water bowls and avoid direct
contact with other dogs. Since the virus has a long
incubation period, however, dogs that live together are likely to be infected before warts
appear.
Related Information:
Warts in Dogs, One Dog's Story
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