Warts (Papillomas) in dogs are usually benign skin growths. They typically appear suddenly, do not bother the dog in its general well-being, and do not change much after their appearance. However, it is essential to keep an eye on warts, as sometimes they may be mistaken for a malignant skin tumor or evolve into one over time. For this reason, the following text provides tips and tricks on recognizing warts, the diagnosis, and what can be done about these skin changes.

What are Warts, and what causes them?

Warts are skin growths that are typically benign and do not necessarily require special treatment. They are most commonly caused by the so-called papillomavirus.

What does a Papilloma look like?

The papillomavirus usually affects the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membrane. It alters the DNA of the cells, leading to the skin growths. They often develop in young dogs with less developed and robust immune systems, allowing the papillomaviruses to spread quickly.

These benign skin growths often form in the head area, on the lips, eyelids, but also inside the mouth on the oral mucosa. This condition is also referred to as juvenile papillomatosis. Juvenile papillomatosis is a disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and occurs mainly in young dogs.

Juvenile papillomas manifest as wart-like growths in the area of the larynx and respiratory tract. This can result in symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, respiratory distress.

Older dogs often develop warts on the earlobes, paws, or on the genital mucosa, especially when their immune system is weakened.

In most cases, papillomatosis in dogs is self-limiting, meaning it heals on its own after a certain period, usually around three months, and leaves no further traces on the skin.

What can Warts look like in Dogs?

Although papillomas are harmless, they are not always easy to recognize. They often have various appearances. The most common forms include:

Why it’s essential to monitor Warts in Dogs

Warts are generally not harmful. While they may visually bother some owners, they do not pose a threat to the dog’s health. Nevertheless, it is crucial to observe warts closely and, if in doubt, consult a veterinarian to differentiate, for example, a wart from a malignant tumor. A black wart in dogs can be very harmless, but it could also be a dangerous black skin cancer, a melanoma.

Distinguishing Dangerous Tumors and Warts

The following indicators can provide the veterinarian with clues during the initial consultation to determine whether the skin growth in the dog is a wart or a tumor:

The sooner intervention occurs, the better the prognosis. Therefore, it is advisable to have the dog examined at the clinic, even if the skin growth seems very harmless (and often it is).

Why Does Your Dog Get Warts – Are Certain Breeds More Affected?

There is no clear evidence that specific dog breeds are more susceptible to papillomas. Papillomas can occur in dogs of various breeds and mixed breeds. The occurrence of papillomas may depend more on factors such as the individual immune system of the dog, age, health condition, and other environmental factors.

However, in some breeds, certain forms of Canine Papillomavirus (CPV) diseases may occur more frequently. For example, juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis, caused by the Canine Papillomavirus and affecting mainly young dogs, has been observed more frequently in breeds such as Rottweilers and Labrador Retrievers in some studies. Nevertheless, this information is not conclusive, and it is essential to note that papillomas can occur in dogs of all breeds.

Since papillomas are often controlled and eliminated by the dog’s immune system, it is crucial to ensure that your dog receives a balanced diet, sufficient exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups to support its immune system.

Diagnosis of Warts and Skin Growths

First things first: a purely visual and palpation (=touching) examination is not sufficient to safely diagnose a skin change, such as a wart.

For a reliable diagnosis, the veterinarian needs a lot of information from the pet owners, which he will gather in a detailed conversation. This information often includes questions about when the skin growth was first noticed, whether there are more of them, whether and how the skin growth has changed, and whether it seems to bother the dog.

Following a detailed visual and palpation examination of the dog, a fine needle aspiration of the skin growth usually follows. The veterinarian uses a fine needle from various directions into the skin growth, sucking a few cells into the needle using negative pressure. These cells are then applied to a fine glass slide, which is usually sent to a pathologist. Under the microscope, the pathologist can precisely identify the type of skin change.

For small skin growths, a skin punch biopsy may also be suitable for the pathologist to obtain a sample. This involves removing the entire skin growth along with the upper skin layers from the skin using a small, round punch. The skin is numbed beforehand, so the dog does not notice the punching. Afterward, the remaining skin hole is stitched to prevent infection.

Treatment of Warts in Dogs

In most cases, warts in dogs are not serious and do not require any special therapy. They often disappear on their own within a few weeks. However, sometimes the skin growths sit very unfavorably on the skin, causing discomfort during eating or walking. If a dog has a wart on the eye, it can obstruct lid closure and promote dry eye.

If the dog has scratched the wart, it can lead to severe inflammation and bleeding. In such cases, the wart can be surgically removed. The dog is put under anesthesia for this procedure, and the fur around the wart is shaved over a large area. If no pathological examination has been performed using fine needle aspiration, the skin change is usually cut out extensively to avoid leaving altered cells in the skin in the case of a malignant tumor.

Other Treatment Options for Removal

There are other ways to remove a wart:

Wart removal is usually a minor procedure, so the dog can go home shortly after waking up.

Are there effective home remedies for warts in dogs?

It is important to emphasize that home remedies or products intended for humans are not always safe for dogs. Do not use wart products or medications without prior consultation with a veterinarian, as they could irritate or damage your dog’s skin.

Some occasional home remedies include:

What is the prognosis for a wart in dogs?

A wart in a dog has a very good prognosis. They often disappear on their own. Most of the time, you don’t have to do anything, just be patient. However, it is essential to keep warts in dogs well monitored and have them examined at the veterinarian’s clinic to avoid missing a malignant tumor.