Have you seen dogs with warts-like tumors on their face, especially around the lips? Viral papilloma in dogs are responsible for causing these tumors. Canine papillomavirus is spread from dog to dog and can cause wart-like growths on the lips, gums, and tongue of younger dogs (often those under two years old). In this blog post, I will discuss what is viral papilloma in dogs, why these tumors occur, and the diagnosis and treatment process of the same.
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Many senior dogs get non-viral papillomas on their skin, which are unrelated to warts caused by the viral papilloma in dogs. Technically speaking, viral papillomas do not cause any sickness on their own. However, they frequently form clusters. These clusters are prone to ulceration and infection and can be a nuisance when the dog is trying to eat. Most young canines will outgrow viral papillomas without medical intervention.
Topics covered in this blog post
Dog mouth warts (oral papillomas): the short answer
What they are: benign warts caused by canine papillomavirus, most common in puppies and young dogs, on the lips, gums, tongue and sometimes the feet.
Treatment: most need none. In a healthy young dog, oral warts usually go away on their own within about 1–3 months as the immune system learns to fight the virus (VCA). Your vet may remove warts that bleed, get infected, keep growing, or make it hard for your dog to eat, swallow or breathe, usually by surgery, laser or freezing. Medicines such as interferon, imiquimod cream or azithromycin are prescription options for stubborn cases, and the evidence for them is limited.
Is it contagious? Yes, to other dogs (direct contact, shared toys, bowls and bedding), but not to people or cats (VCA).
Don’t cut, crush, tie off or “freeze” warts at home, and don’t use human wart removers on your dog. Stop your dog rubbing, scratching or biting the warts, because that makes them bleed and get infected (VCA).
Exactly what is viral papilloma in dogs?
Papillomas, often known as dog warts, are benign growths caused by a virus that spread by shedding infected skin cells. Although solitary growths are possible, they usually occur as a cluster of numerous growths.
There are three distinct canine papillomas, and they are as follows:
Canine mucous membrane papillomatosis
Lips and mouth are common places for young canines to develop canine mucous membrane papillomatosis. The skin close to the mouth and eyes is also susceptible to the effects of this virus. They emerge out of nowhere and rapidly multiply and disperse.
Cutaneous papillomas
Cutaneous papillomas generally affect older dogs. These forms of papillomas manifest as isolated growths. They look like common warts, but some other skin lumps, including some tumors, can look very similar, so have any new lump on an older dog checked by your vet.
Cutaneous inverted papillomas
Inverted papillomas of the skin are relatively common in young adult canines. In most cases, these forms of viral papilloma in dogs occur on the underside of the dog’s abdomen. In certain cases, the papillomas may also grow under the paw pads of the dog.
Furthermore, in certain cases, the viral papilloma in dogs can progress to become a squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare but serious skin cancer that can develop from viral papillomas. If you notice a growth on your dog the best option is to have the growth checked out by the vet as soon as possible.
Causes of viral papilloma in dogs
Dogs under the age of two are more likely to develop oral papillomas. Because their immune systems have not fully matured, young dogs are more vulnerable to the papillomavirus. They may be able to get rid of their warts when their immune systems develop and begin producing antibodies to fight against the virus. Dogs infected with the papillomavirus might spread it to other dogs through physical contact. This typically happens when the dogs meet for the first time, exchange toys, or eat or drink from the same dish. Thus, avoid taking your dog to the dog park if your dog is showing signs of viral papilloma. Because papillomaviruses are species-specific, canine papillomavirus cannot spread from dogs to people or cats.
Presentation of viral papilloma in dogs
The causative organism behind papilloma is the canine papillomavirus (CPV). These viruses often cause the formation of small, painless growths or warts. Although distinct papillomaviruses exist in other animals, including humans, they cannot be transferred from one species to another. Papillomaviruses are also highly site- and host-specific. They can be passed from one dog to another directly or through shared dishes, toys and bedding, but not to people.
The different types of viral papilloma in dogs
There are three CPV manifestations. Oral papilloma generated by CPV-1 is the most prevalent kind. Oral papillomas, as the name implies, are benign tumors that form in and around a dog’s mouth. When the skin is broken or has a lesion, the virus can take hold and spread.
Multiple papillomas are more common in younger dogs and pups because their immune systems have not fully developed. On the other hand, older animals are more likely to have single papillomas.
Transmission of viral papilloma in dogs.
The oral papillomavirus, sometimes called oral papillomatosis or canine papillomavirus type 1 (CPV1), is responsible for the papillomas you see around the mouth of puppies and young dogs. Warts on the oral mucosa are a symptom of this extremely contagious disease in dogs. Oral papillomas can affect any dog, but puppies and older dogs are especially vulnerable because of their compromised immune systems.
Because the oral papillomavirus is present in the wart itself, it can be spread both directly and indirectly, through contact with infected dogs or their belongings (such as a water or food bowl, a toy, or a bed).
If your dog attends dog daycare there is a higher chance of transmission of the viral papilloma in dogs. Because warts take roughly a month to appear after infection (VCA), it can be hard to pinpoint when or where your dog picked up the virus.
Manifestation of viral papilloma in dogs
Canine papillomavirus type 1 (CPV1) causes the vast majority of oral papillomas in dogs. Papillomas caused by viruses are typically fimbriated, indicating that they are mostly spherical but have a rough, almost jagged surface. They are most common in puppies (dogs younger than 2 years old) and can be found on the lips and muzzle. Papillomas are rarely found on the eyelids of dogs. However, they have been found on the surface of the eye and even between the toes. Check the inside of the mouth and the lips for extra growth if you notice one. They tend to form in clusters rather than alone. Most occurrences of oral viral papilloma are rather minor, and they go away on their own within 2 months.
Factors that boost the chance of development of viral papilloma in dogs
Several factors contribute to the development of viral papilloma in dogs:
Age
Viral papillomas are more common in younger dogs because their immune systems have not fully matured. Puppies between the ages of 6 weeks and a year are most vulnerable to contracting the papillomavirus.
Compromised immunity
Dogs with compromised immune systems are at increased risk for developing viral papillomas. Furthermore, those with autoimmune diseases, receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive therapies fall into this category.
Environment
Canines are more likely to get the virus if they spend significant time in environments where other dogs are present, such as dog parks or kennels. Since this virus is extremely contagious, daycares, parks, and other environments which harbor multiple dogs easily become the transmission ground.
Contagiousness
Viral papillomas are very contagious. This increases the risk of infection for canines who come into touch with affected animals.
Genetics
There may be a genetic predisposition for certain breeds to develop viral papillomas. Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Boxers are some of the breeds at a higher risk.
How papillomavirus takes hold
As has been mentioned above, papilloma is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread if a normal dog comes in contact with an infected one. For the virus to establish an infection in a healthy animal, it requires a lesion or broken skin. Warts usually appear about a month after infection. After the lesion has healed, it does not appear to infect other dogs. There are multiple strains of the virus. However, infected dogs who have made a full recovery cannot be reinfected with the same strain of the virus.
This infection is most common in young dogs and pups because infection requires either an undeveloped immune system or immunological suppression. Papilloma lesions can also appear on dogs that are being treated with oral cyclosporine for an immune-mediated condition.
Stages of papilloma growth in dogs
Dog guardians can track the progression of the papillomavirus growth at each stage.
Stage 1
The first stage involves the development and spread of a tiny, smooth lesion in or around the mouth.
Stage 2
In the second stage of development, the papilloma’s surface takes on a textured appearance.
Stage 3
When an oral papilloma has established itself inside the mouth and is actively growing, the pain it causes may cause the dog to stop eating.
Signs of viral papilloma in dogs
Unless the lesions get infected or prevent the dog from eating or drinking normally, most affected dogs show no signs of discomfort. Pus, bleeding, poor breath, and pain are all symptoms of an infected papilloma. If the sores are so painful that they prevent the dog from eating, then the dog may start to behave aggressively.
Most mouth warts on healthy dogs will disappear on their own within two to three months, and surgery is usually unnecessary. Dogs who have had an encounter with CPV1 are unlikely to ever acquire oral papillomas again because of the immunity they develop against the virus.
Raised bumps
The most typical sign of viral papilloma in dogs is the appearance of tiny, raised lumps on the skin or mucous membranes. These growths frequently take the shape of small, hard, white, or pink pimples. They can show up alone or in groups and might be flush with the surface or slightly elevated.
Location
The papilloma bumps can show up anywhere on the body, but they tend to cluster on the mouth and throat. Additionally, they may manifest on the paw pads and soles of the feet.
Behavioral changes
Some dogs may show altered behavior as a result of itching, discomfort, or pain in the affected areas. They may also avoid eating and drinking as a result of the itching and scratching.
Appetite changes:
Papillomas in the dog’s mouth or throat might cause a lack of appetite or make eating difficult.
Ulceration
In extremely unusual circumstances, papillomas that have been inflamed or injured may bleed or ulcerate.
You must understand that not all dogs with viral papillomas will show all of the above-mentioned symptoms. Furthermore, the intensity of symptoms can vary greatly from one dog to another and from bump to bump. Thus, an accurate diagnosis and treatment for papillomas in dogs will need professional assistance
Detection of viral papilloma in dogs
The first step in determining whether or not a dog has papillomas is to conduct a physical examination. The veterinarian may perform a biopsy of the afflicted tissue to confirm the diagnosis and will be on the lookout for telltale lumps on the skin or mucous membranes.
Needle sample or biopsy
Your vet can often recognize warts by their look. If there is any doubt, a needle sample or, more reliably, a biopsy sent to a lab confirms that the lump is a harmless wart and not another kind of tumor (VCA).
Blood work
Blood tests don’t diagnose warts, but your vet may suggest them to check your dog’s general health, especially in an older dog with many warts. Further additional tests or imaging may be required to rule out other disorders that might produce bumps or growths on a dog’s skin or mucous membranes, such as warts or tumors.
Complications
- Secondary bacterial infections can develop if papillomas are inflamed or damaged.
- Pus or discharge may develop, and the bumps may become red, swollen, and painful.
- Papillomas in the throat or trachea can lead to respiratory discomfort by obstructing the airway and making it difficult to breathe or swallow.
- Weight loss and dehydration can result from a dog’s inability to eat or drink due to oral papillomas.
- The emergence of papillomas on a dog’s face or body can create anxiety and distress, which may manifest as behavioral or emotional changes.
Papillomas often disappear on their own, but they can return if the dog’s immune system is compromised or if it is reexposed to the virus. The degree of issues associated with papillomas in dogs might vary greatly based on factors such as their location and size.
Are viral papillomas in dogs risky?
Usually not. Eventually, the dog’s immune system will develop a response against the papillomavirus, and the warts will disappear on their own. Regression often takes place over 1-2 months. After 3 months, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm that the growth is indeed a viral papilloma, and your vet may advise therapy accordingly. Chewing and swallowing can be affected in extreme situations. However, this is highly infrequent. Skin (cutaneous) papillomas on older dogs may not disappear on their own. Thus, if you notice warts at sections other than the mouth of the dog, get it checked as soon as possible.
Infection of oral papillomas by oral bacteria is possible. The pain, swelling, and poor breath associated with such an infection can only be managed with antibiotic treatment.
See your vet if
- your dog is older (not a puppy or young adult) and has new warts or many warts, since Merck advises checking older dogs with multiple papillomas for an underlying immune problem such as lymphoma;
- a wart bleeds, smells, looks infected, or grows quickly;
- your dog drools, has trouble eating or swallowing, or loses weight;
- warts are still there after about 3 months;
- a lump is on the eyelid or eye, or it doesn’t look like the cauliflower-like warts in the photos above.
Some other lumps, including some skin tumors, can look like warts. A quick needle sample or a biopsy tells your vet for sure (VCA).
Therapy for viral papilloma in dogs
Outpatient treatment
Outpatient care is the norm while treating this illness. However, surgery may be necessary if the issue worsens and does not improve on its own.
Monitoring at home
Keep an eye on the wounds to see whether they bleed, get bigger than normal, or make your dog uncomfortable. An increased immune response will eventually clear up the infection. Within three months, most papillomas will have resolved themselves and disappeared. Your dog will likely never get the infection again if his immune system responds normally.
Surgical options
Surgery may be necessary for some dogs, especially those with big lesions. The vet will take care of the sores by cutting them out and checking for signs of infection or cancer using various diagnostic tools. Pain and swelling due to bacterial infection may be treated medically if necessary
INF treatment
Treatment with interferon-alpha is another option, albeit a costly one. These therapies aid in eliciting an immune response against the papillomas that have become a pain in the neck. Two or three treatments each week are often administered. Dogs with severe wart infections can get the same anti-viral doses of interferon used to treat humans, albeit the treatment is expensive and has mixed success. It’s administered twice or thrice weekly. The problem with the use of Interferon alpha is that it is expensive but the consistency in the results is not guaranteed.
Imiquimod
Recent advances in treating canine and human infections with the topical medicine imiquimod have led to increased immune-mediated intervention and, ultimately, the virus’s elimination by the host. Dogs with skin lesions caused by viruses are increasingly being given Imiquimod. Irritation of the skin around the growth is a common side effect of Imiquimod, but it’s taken as a sign that the treatment is working.
Azithromycin
In a small 2008 trial in Turkey (17 dogs), warts cleared within 10–15 days in all 10 dogs given a 10-day course of azithromycin, an antibiotic, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists it as an option. However, a 2022 review points out that warts usually clear on their own, the untreated dogs in that trial happened to have unusually long-lasting warts, and azithromycin has not worked in some later cases. It is a prescription medicine, so use it only if your vet prescribes it.
Vaccination
In some cases, the immune system of the dog can be stimulated by using a vaccine developed from the dog’s warts. This vaccine can then stimulate the immune system to act against the tumors.
Georgetown University has created a recombinant vaccination against viral papilloma. To induce an immunological response, this vaccination uses simply viral DNA. Although it has shown promise as a preventative vaccine and a treatment for active infections, it is still an experimental medicine that necessitates a sample from the sick patient to produce the vaccine.
It is still in the experimental stages of development. However, some veterinarians may propose it as a therapeutic vaccine for current CPV infections or as a preventative vaccination for pups. There is, however, some evidence that the vaccine, in extremely unusual instances, may induce cancer at the injection site.
The bottom line is that your dog’s distinctive medical history and symptoms will dictate the treatment course to be chosen. Thus, only a vet can advise you on the most effective treatment for canine papillomavirus. Make an appointment with your primary veterinarian right away.
Antibiotics
When oral papillomas become infected by the normal flora of the mouth, antibiotics are usually prescribed. Antibiotics treat secondary infections caused by bacteria. Thus, you should not expect antibiotics to clear up the viral papilloma infection. The antibiotics are not there to clear up the warts.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, the freezing off of tissue growth to remove dog papillomas, may be used if the condition develops or does not improve on its own. In cryotherapy, the papillomas are frozen off cryogenically.
Prescription creams
Mild cases usually don’t need any treatment. Don’t use human wart removers, freezing kits or home “remedies” on your dog. For some skin warts, your vet may prescribe an immune-stimulating cream such as imiquimod (VCA); use it only as directed, because it commonly irritates the surrounding skin.
Remission
Papillomavirus causes little growth in the mouth of otherwise healthy canines. Within two to three months, the lesions often heal, and most dogs develop immunity to prevent further outbreaks. Dogs with papillomas should have as little interaction with other dogs as possible. Sharing food and water bowls, as well as engaging in mouth-to-mouth contact, can spread the infection from one dog to another.
Prevention of viral papilloma in dogs
There is no papilloma vaccine in a puppy’s routine vaccination schedule. Vaccines, either commercial or made from the dog’s own warts, are only considered for very severe cases where the dog can’t swallow or breathe normally (Merck). The best prevention is to keep your dog away from dogs that have visible warts.
Because of the high contagiousness of Papillomavirus, it is best to avoid coming into touch with infected dogs. Avoiding papilloma-infected dogs and keeping your dog out of places where they may have been will lower the likelihood of exposure.
If your dog’s immune system is healthy, he or she will be less likely to contract infectious disorders like viral papillomas. Your dog’s immune system will benefit from a good diet, regular exercise, and medical checkups.
Furthermore, you can reduce the risk of contracting canine papillomavirus by using proper hygiene whenever working with or caring for dogs. Keep your dog’s environment clean and free of debris, and always wash your hands after handling dogs or anything that might have been exposed to the virus.
If you think your dog has papillomas, you should see a vet right away so they can diagnose and treat the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment can lessen the likelihood of problems and stop the virus from spreading to other canines.
Conclusion
Canine papillomavirus infection is a prevalent cause of viral papilloma in dogs. Small, painless pimples may occur on the skin or mucous membranes, and they normally go away on their own after a few months. Although viral papillomas are not harmful in and of themselves, they can cause discomfort and irritation to the affected dog and, in rare situations, can even cause secondary infections, airway obstruction, and trouble eating and drinking.
You can lower the risk of viral papilloma by keeping your dog’s bowls, toys and bedding clean, and by keeping any dog with visible warts away from other dogs until the warts have gone. Healthy puppies still need safe socialization with other vaccinated dogs. The key to avoiding problems and improving healing is prompt diagnosis and treatment. An accurate diagnosis and therapy for viral papilloma in dogs need professional assistance. Most dogs diagnosed with viral papilloma can make a full recovery with the right treatment and go on to lead normal, healthy lives.
Related reading
What did you do?
Have you ever dealt with the problem of viral papillomas in dogs? What strategy worked for you? Anything you wish to share with other readers? Please put down your experiences and comments in the comment section below. Your lessons can help someone else become a better dog guardian for their pup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Oral papilloma lesions typically heal within two to three months in a healthy dog, and the dog will gain long-term immunity to the virus. If your dog has warts, you should keep them away from other dogs as much as possible because the virus can spread from one dog to another.
Dog warts are not communicable to people, which is a common fear among pet owners. Dogs can only spread the oral papillomavirus to other dogs.
Viral papilloma is primarily transmitted among dogs through direct contact with infected dogs or contaminated objects. It spreads through the oral-nasal route, such as during shared toys, food bowls, or close interaction.
There are no specific dietary or nutritional recommendations for dogs with viral papilloma. However, it is always important to provide a balanced and nutritious diet to support your dog’s overall health and immune system. Consult with a veterinarian for personalized dietary advice based on your dog’s specific needs and condition.
While your dog has visible warts, avoid dog parks, daycare and shared toys or bowls, because the virus spreads to other dogs. Once the warts have gone, your dog can go back to normal socializing. Dogs that recover are usually immune to that virus type.
Most oral papillomas in young dogs need no treatment and go away on their own within about 1–3 months. Your vet may remove warts that bleed, become infected, keep growing or interfere with eating, swallowing or breathing, using surgery, laser or cryotherapy. Prescription medicines such as interferon, imiquimod or azithromycin are sometimes tried for stubborn cases, but the evidence for them is limited.
Yes, to other dogs. The virus spreads through direct contact and shared toys, bowls and bedding, usually through small breaks in the skin. Dog papillomavirus does not infect people or cats. Keep a dog with active warts away from other dogs until the warts are gone.
Usually, yes. As the dog’s immune system responds, the warts shrink, darken and drop off or fade away, typically within 1–3 months. Don’t pull or cut them off at home. See your vet if a wart bleeds, gets infected, or is still there after about 3 months.
Oral warts usually start as small, smooth, pale bumps, then grow into rough, cauliflower-like warts, often in clusters on the lips, gums or tongue. As the immune system takes over, they shrink and disappear. Large clusters can make eating painful.
Yes. Older dogs more often get single skin papillomas. An older dog that suddenly develops many warts should see a vet, because it can be a sign of a weakened immune system. Have any new lump on an older dog checked, since some tumors look like warts.
