Governor Animal Clinic, Inc.

This virus is spread by contact with other dogs (through play, sharing toys, water bowls, etc)

Viral Papillomas of Dogs

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.