Oh No! Not Dog Warts!

Most dog warts, otherwise known as canine viral papillomas, are benign and will go away on their own over time. Dog warts are not caused by the same viruses that cause human warts and cannot be transmitted from dogs to humans or vice versa. Now that I've eased your mind a bit by letting you know that dog warts are not usually lethal to dogs or contagious to humans, how about a little more information about what dog warts are.

Dog warts are small, roundish skin tumors caused by certain viruses. They are typically skin-colored or whitish. They tend to have a rough, jagged surface that sometimes gives them a cauliflower-like appearance and they are often found in groups or clusters. Dog warts are most commonly located on the lips or muzzle areas of young dogs; occasionally, they may also be spotted near the eye area or between the toes. Young dogs are the most common carriers of dog warts due to their immature immune systems; as their immune systems develop, the warts will usually go away on their own, typically within 1-5 months. In the meantime, the warts can be spread to other young dogs with underdeveloped immune systems.

Since dog warts usually go away on their own over time, treatment is not always a necessity. However, it would probably still be a good idea to have a veterinarian examine and diagnose your dog's warts, just to confirm that they do indeed fall into the most common category of benign canine papillomas. If they do, then no treatment necessary, but you'll still want to keep an eye on your dog's condition. If the warts are especially large and seem to be causing the dog discomfort, then they can be surgically removed or frozen off or sometimes even crushed. Dog wart removal would be something to consider if the dog kept scratching at the warts, which might then lead to a risk of infection. Another instance in which wart removal might be called for is if there is quite a proliferation of the warts in the mouth area, which seem to be making it cumbersome or uncomfortable for the dog to eat. Yet another instance in which to consider dog wart removal would be if you have multiple dogs or your dog has frequent interaction with other dogs and you're worried about the warty dog spreading its virus to others.

Any serious treatment such as the aforementioned wart removal or freezing off or crushing should be performed by a veterinarian. However, if your dog's warts seem to be irritating to him/her and you'd like to try a more DIY remedy before resorting to the services of a vet, you can research some holistic remedies, such as Vitamin E application to the affected areas, which sometimes seems to alleviate irritation. Another pointer is to keep your dog active and otherwise in the midst of a healthy lifestyle (and try to limit exposure to other dogs, such as at kennels, doggy day care facilities, and even dog parks) to stimulate overall good health, rejuvenation, and positive development of the immune system, which should help the warts to clear up more quickly. More medicinal over-the-counter fixes are available, too. If you want to try that route, you should probably ask your vet for a recommendation.

If your dog is an only child and does not seem to be suffering any discomfort as a result of his/her warts, then dog wart treatment is most likely unnecessary, but you should still keep an eye out and monitor your dog's warts to make sure they do not undergo any major changes that might signal a more serious issue. If the dog warts begin to grow, bleed, or ulcerate, these could be signs of more serious problems. As mentioned earlier, benign dog warts are usually whitish or skin-colored. Wart-like protuberances that are black in color may be something different and indicative of more serious issues. If growths on your dog's skin are showing any suspicious symptoms or otherwise differ from the standard description of dog warts, then please do consult with your vet for more information. Again, with any unfamiliar growth or other canine condition about which you are uncertain and which might affect the health of a beloved pet, it would probably be best to consult with your vet, just to be on the safe side.

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http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/dog-warts.html

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/dogskinwarts.html

http://www.campbowwow.com/us/tx/sanantonio/DogHealth/DogWarts/tabid/4619/Default.aspx