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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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
(back to top of dog warts)
Also see Dog Skin Conditions and Disorders
Back to Illnesses
& Remedies
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