Oozing Dog Wart Won't Heal

by Alan Waidelich
(Woodstock, IL, USA)

Max's wart taken 12/14/2010

Because of Max's age and a possible heart problem, his vet decided to leave this "wart-type growth" alone. Max is a 12 year old Cocker Spaniel.

I am concerned because at one moment the "wart" seems to be ok, then all of a sudden a clear liquid will ooze from the growth. Then Max will scratch at it and it will bleed for quite some time.

The oozing dog wart will then heal over, the liquid will re-appear, and Max will scratch, scab comes off, and he bleeds again. This cycle has not stopped.

Can you identify this growth and offer a suggestion for treatment?

Please note that I just inherited Max from my Grandmother after she passed in November, and this is something that has been noted on his medical records for quite some time. Your help is greatly appreciated. I have additional close up pictures if they would help.

Thanks, Alan

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Oozing Dog Wart Won't Heal

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My Online Vet Response for Oozing Dog Wart Won't Heal
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Alan,
The wart on Max's forehead appears to be benign, but it looks ulcerated with possible secondary infection. It may be causing him some irritation, and that is when he scratches it. You mentioned he also had a heart condition. Since he is a cocker spaniel, I wonder if he is also prone to ear infections or skin allergies, or any other chronic illness?

A conventional approach might be to use a local block and remove the 'wart'. This would allow it to be analyzed and biopsied to check for malignancy. Although looking at the photo, it does not appear to be a malignant tumor.

A holistic veterinarian would want to check out Max's entire body. Not just to address the 'wart' but to offer nutritional improvements, to boost his immune system, help his heart, improve his skin, and consider a homeopathic remedy that would take into account his entire 'constitution'. Also to caution against any more vaccinations for Max. In this way, he would become healthier, possibly shrinking the wart, but definitely decreasing/eliminating the secondary infection.

Check our page on appropriate dog food diets. It would be best to remove him from dry food, and gradually switch him to canned and/or a raw dog food diet.

A holistic veterinarian would be able to give you more specific advice when you take Max in for an appointment. To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

My Dog Has The Same Thing
by: Mindy

Hi Alan, I was wondering what you do to keep the wart clean. My dog has the same type thing oh his head and I can't get it removed because he is 15 with a bad heart murmer. I clean it every few days. Did you get any suggestions on how to solve this problem besides getting it removed (which is not an option for me)? Thanks, Mindy

To Mindy:
by: Alan

Thanks for writing. I work hard with Max and his warts! The biggest thing I do is GENTLY clean the wart each day with warm water, cleaning off any debris that may be around there, and then I have found that Neosporin + pain relief IS making a BIG difference!

BE PATIENT with your dog and try doing it after he's been fed, or getting ready to nap. The Neosporin stings for a minute or two (my guess by Max's reaction to wanting to rub it off), but after 5 minutes of petting him, holding him, and keeping his paw off the wart, he calms right down.

The Neosporin has made a BIG difference, MOST of the infection part seems to be gone, the size of the wart has come down and it doesn't bleed like it used to nor does he worry at it except for the few minutes after the treatment. So, that seems to be helping. I'm not sure what else to do, but it sure looks better.

He has tons of warts all over and this is by far the worse one, and now I don't feel that it is as bad as it was a month ago! Hope this help, let me know.

Alan

My Online Vet Response for Oozing Dog Wart Won't Heal
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Alan,
Using Neosporin ointment on Max's warts is not a holistic approach. In fact, you can research Thuya ointment. This is a homeopathic remedy specifically for warts.

But the best option for Max would be to seek out the help of a holistic veterinarian. In this way, you will be able to do more than 'just' apply an ointment, (whether homeopathic or conventional), which is merely a surface treatment. The goal is to find the constitutional remedy that will treat his whole body, his heart, ears, all of the warts at the same time.

Also, providing him with a healthy diet, no more vaccinations, and adding supplements for his heart, skin, and haircoat, will be good too. (see my first post.)

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Thank you for the follow up
by: Alan

Dr. Tillman:

Thanks for your reply.

Following your advice I did see a holistic vet, who prescribed a series of natural products for Max. After 10 days of using these products, a lot of pain by Max, and a continued infection in the wart on his face, the infection portion of the wart would not go away and was actually getting worse.

I was only able to get the infection under control after using an OTC anti-biotic ointment with pain reliever. Since using it, Max has stopped clawing at the wart, it has stopped bleeding, and the infection appears to have gone away.

I am now switching back to a more holistic approach for the treatment of his heart and warts, but as a realist, it seems there are times that conventional medicine must be considered, if but for only relieving the pain Max was in.

I spent 6 months earlier this year holistically treating my "baby" Shadow for cancer and lost that battle; after his pain, I don't want to see Max in pain! I know holistic medicine works, but according to my mother-in-law, a successful holistic doctor, it is not appropriate 100% of the time.

My Online Vet Response for Oozing Dog Wart Won't Heal
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Alan,
Thank you for filling me in on the rest of the story! Yes, you are correct, the medical oath for doctors AND veterinarians (conventional or holistic), is "Above all else, DO NO HARM", and of course, do not allow your patient to suffer.

In Max's case, in seems like you have found the path that will relieve his suffering, and make him more comfortable. I applaud your efforts in working hard for all of your pets, in seeking out holistic help, and conventional, when needed.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Dog Warts,
- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section

Another option for dealing with oozing wart
by: Joyce

My 16yo Jack Russell terrier has a number of these warts, which she mostly keeps clean herself and are not a problem.
However, the largest is on her shoulder where she can't reach it, and it does ooze, scab over and bleed (and it smells horrible!). I wash it periodically with baby wash, then dry it gently and apply collasate,(a postoperative collagen dressing provided by my veterinarian), which seems to seal it and keep it from oozing for up to 2 weeks.

Good job Joyce!
by: Alan

It's good to hear that you are making progress in your Jack Russel's wart battle. I wish I could upload a more recent picture of Max, and you wouldn't believe your eyes. The wart has completely healed, and remains only as three small "bumps" clustered together. I have had no oozing, etc., in months and Maxs' other warts are beginning to heal completely as well. In only 6 months he has gone from a constant scratcher and worrier to a calm and relaxed non-scratching dog. I hope that you too can help your dog in overcoming this condition.

my thanks to Alan.... NEW
by: Anonymous

my apologies to Dr. Tillman as this reply doesn't have anything to do with holistic medicine. But I am so happy to have found the thread. Our little Shih Tzu is going to be 17 years-old next week. Her body is crumbling around her indomitable spirit. I put drops in both eyes 3 times a day, she is quite blind and deaf but manages very well. Her back legs are losing strength and she sways and stumbles sometimes but she goes up and down our stairs at least 7 times each day and we go for a daily walk. Not far...but when she's had enough--she turns around and heads home. I know she is happy..her tail is up and wags when she walks and she always shows up every night at dinnertime to "help" (...I indulge with meat and veggies quite often...I just want her to be happy and healthy as possible.) ...but I digress, so back to Alan. "Chance" has many papillomas on her body..more all the time. I've begun grooming her myself as I'm frightened to take her to the groomer anymore. She's very patient and lets me trim her whenever I want. But a few of her growths have been oozing for the past few months and she was becoming er, difficult to be in the same room with. Thanks to Alan's post....I've been paying far more attention to trimming around her growths really well and applying clear ointment to her larger warts that seep (and stink...oh my!) I'm sure the smell never bothered her, but at any rate, she's not at all stinky anymore. The oozing has stopped and her warts look much much better. I know it's not the perfect solution...but at her age...isn't it mostly about love, companionship and comfort? (p.s.---I attribute her amazing health and longevity to having fed her excellent dog food for all of her life)

My Online Vet Response for: Oozing Dog Wart that Won't Heal NEW
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Alan,
Thank you for updating us on your dog, Max. From your first photo in 12/10, of the large oozing wart on his forehead, he was 12 years old. That makes him 14 years old now!! And with your perseverance and tender loving care in finding the best combination of alternative and 'traditional' medicine to treat him, he is no longer scratching continuously, and his warts have healed!! Good for you for a job well done!

To Anonymous,
Thank you for your comments on your own dog, Chance. A 17 year old Shih Tzu with numerous infected papillomas. You have also done a great job with Chance, using good nutrition as a base and letting the body take over the healing process. I am glad you found our site to give you a little guidance!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us
by clicking the like button at the top of the left
margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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