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Types and Treatment
of Dog Warts

Dog warts are pesky yet painless bumps that dogs can develop on various parts of their body.dog warts

Even though warts are relatively harmless, it is important that they are diagnosed and observed to prevent any cancerous growths.  

What is a dog wart?

Warts vs. papillomas

Holistic treatments

Dog Warts

A dog wart is the singular form of papillomas, meaning only one visible bump in an isolated area.  

Warts usually occur on the aging skin of older dogs -- as if the loss of hair and muscle strength weren’t enough for them to deal with!  

Their appearance will let you know if they are benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous.

There are three common appearances of dog warts:
  1. Small, skin colored, resembling a mushroom on a stalk or a tiny finger.  These common warts are benign and nothing to worry about, as long as they remain the same size and shape.  It is still a good idea to have the dog wart examined by your veterinarian.
  1. If that small, mushroom like wart begins to grow in size and ulcerate, your dog could have a problem.  Have the wart diagnosed by your veterinarian, who will probably have it removed.
  1. Black warts that are growing on the eyelid or around the lips could be malignant melanoma (potentially fatal skin cancer).  These should be checked by your vet and removed immediately.
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Dog Warts vs. Papillomas

A dog wart is considered the singular form of papillomas, occurring as a lone bump in an isolated area of the body.dog warts

Papillomas are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that commonly occur in clumps and resemble the scales of a fish.

Papillomas can often be found on young puppies and tend to take on a unique appearance mirroring tufts of cauliflower.  This may look a bit scarier than it actually is, but should be closely observed.

If you have noticed white clumps growing in and/or around the mouth of your puppy, understand that:
  • These papillomas are viral in nature
  • They tend to clear up after a few months as the puppy’s immune system matures
  • Certain cases of puppy papillomas have been know to grow slightly severe in nature, especially if the growths climb into the throat, which can cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • These growths can be removed if necessary by burning away the tissues
As always…when in doubt, take your dog to the vet.

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Holistic Treatments for Dog Warts

Since dog warts are generally harmless, you may want to treat them naturally to avoid surgery or the use of potentially harmful manmade topical creams.

Try applying Vitamin E from a punctured Vitamin E capsule directly to the wart.  Do this a few times a day for several weeks until you see improvement.  If no improvement occurs after 6 weeks, take your dog to the vet.

Another option is to apply castor oil directly to the dog warts in order to soften them and reduce irritation.  Castor oil can be found in most drug stores.

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Also see Dog Skin Conditions and Disorders

Back to Illnesses & Remedies

Dog Warts References  Picture Source: Canine Papillomas
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