Canine Papilloma virus

Papillomavirus in canines causes the skin growths commonly known as warts. Dog warts often have a cauliflower like appearance, and usually appear on the face, near and even inside of the eyes and mouth. Warts in dogs may become cancerous, so have them examined by a vet. Watch your dog's warts for changes in color, shape and size.

Viral Papillomas in Dogs

Dog warts are the result of a virus known as the papillomavirus. They usually appear in dogs younger than two years old. They appear on the lips, inside the mouth, on the snout, on the eyelids, inside the eyes and between the toes. The virus that causes dog warts spreads through direct contact with the warts themselves and can also be spread through contact with objects in the infected dog's environment. The canine papillomavirus incubates in the animal for a month or two before warts appear. Vets don't know if dogs must have visible papillomas in order to spread the virus to others, or how long dogs might remain contagious after warts have disappeared. The canine papillomavirus is not contagious to other animals or people, and appears to strike puppies and dogs with weakened immune systems.

Risks of Dog Warts

The canine papillomavirus isn't usually dangerous. As your puppy grows and his immune system gets stronger, the warts should disappear; in most dogs, it takes between one and five months for warts to disappear, though some warts may remain throughout your dog's life. In rare cases, dog warts can become cancerous, so keep a close eye on your dog's warts and alert your vet if they should change in size, shape, color or appearance. Dog warts, especially those inside the mouth, may become infected. Your dog may suffer pain, inflammation, swelling and halitosis. Antibiotics can control and resolve symptoms of infected oral dog warts. Never assume that any growth on your dog's skin is a wart. Skin growths can occur for a number of different reasons, and any skin growth may be serious. Consult your vet to make sure that your dog's warts are the result of papillomavirus.

Treating Canine Warts

Most canine warts don't require treatment. Eventually, the dog's immune system musters a response to the papillomavirus and the warts disappear without intervention. If the warts are interfering with your dog's ability to eat, drink or breathe, your vet may remove them surgically. He'll either use a scalpel or remove them cryogenically, by freezing them off. In many dogs wart removal surgery stimulates the immune system to fight off the papillomavirus. Interferon can help support the immune response of dogs with severe wart infections. There is presently no vaccine that can protect against or cure the papillomavirus. Recently, the antibiotic azithromycin was found to be effective in the treatment of canine warts caused by papillomavirus. Azithromycin treatments can clear up dog warts within fifteen days.