Certain viruses are able to cause the growth
of small round skin tumors that are commonly referred to as warts.
There are many types of small round skin growths and it is
important for them to be examined as some such growths may not
actually be innocuous viral warts. Most growths must be removed and
biopsied before they can be identified, though there are some
exceptions to this rule.
Dogs actually can get warts though not through
the same viruses that cause human warts and often these warts have
a characteristic appearance which does not require biopsy for
identification.
In dogs, we do not call these growths warts; we
use the more formal term viral papilloma. These are benign skin
tumors caused by the canine oral papillomavirus.
Viral papillomas are round but often have a
rough, almost jagged surface reminiscent of a sea anemone or a
cauliflower. They occur usually on the lips and muzzle of a young
dog (usually less than 2 years of age). Less commonly, papillomas
can occur on the eyelids and even the surface of the eye or between
the toes. Usually they occur in groups rather than as solitary
growths.
The infection is transmitted via contact with the
papillomas on an infected dog. The incubation period is 1 to 2
months. This virus can only be spread among dogs. It is not
contagious to other pets or to humans.
Viral papillomas should go away on
their own as the dog's immune system matures and generates a
response against the papillomavirus. Typically, it takes 1 to 5
months for papillomas to regress with oral growths tending to
regress sooner than ocular growths. Occasionally some papillomas
will stay permanently.
Sometimes oral papillomas can become infected
with bacteria of the mouth. Antibiotics will be needed in such
cases to control the pain, swelling, and bad breath.
