Dec 1, 2022
Warts in Dogs: We Tell You Why They Come Out and How to Remove Them
Have you noticed that your dogs have small bumps in various areas of their body? If so, you should know that warts in dogs are more common than it seems and can be treated at home. Here’s how.
What are warts in dogs?
These are small benign tumors that grow on your pet’s skin. Warts are superficial and usually appear on parts such as the muzzle, eyes, tongue, belly, genitals, and ears. They can appear in both males and females. They are spread by direct contact from one dog to another.
What causes warts in dogs?
The person responsible for warts in dogs is a virus called canine papilloma that can begin to affect dogs under one year of age.
These neoplasms are also known as viral papillomatosis. (Affinity Petcare, 2019)
The virus lodges in the mucous membranes. Then, it begins its growth in the squamous cells of the epidermis. (Affinity Petcare, 2019)
That is why it is easy to detect a wart. You just have to perform a general and careful examination of your pet and see if he has lumps. Its appearance is similar to cauliflower. In case warts begin to appear and are not yet visible, you will notice that your pet scratches and that there are no ticks in the area.
It is important to emphasize that warts in dogs are not transmitted from the animal to the human. Nor does it affect another species of animal. It’s safe to pet and pampers your pet even if he has a few warts on his body.
How do dogs get these warts?
As we mentioned earlier, the virus is found in the mucous membranes of dogs. So the direct contagion is through bites or licks. That is any contact with the saliva of the infected animal. It can even be spread if a dog licks feces infected with canine papilloma.
If you have two dogs at home, you’ll notice that both may have warts. Contagion between them is normal. Especially if they play and nibble.
Should you worry about canine warts?
This question is very frequent since many dog owners worry when they see these lumps grow.
The truth is that, even if they are benign tumors, you should always check their size. In case the growth is very fast, it is advisable to consult a specialist.
Another important point to keep in mind is that your pet can hurt warts. This can happen either because you scratched very hard or because you had contact with an object that hurt you. Such a situation could lead to bleeding, which merits special treatment.
How to treat them
A good diet is important to strengthen the immune system of your dogs. A diet that meets nutritional standards is involved in the treatment of certain diseases. (Affinity petcare, S/F) Warts in dogs can be transient and go away on their own. But if they arise in places that make it impossible for your pet to walk or eat, you can go to a specialist who will eliminate them through treatments. For nothing you should try to burn warts in dogs, this procedure can only be done by veterinarians.
Remember to stay alert at home. If any warts bleed because your pet won’t stop scratching them, then turn to patches, special vests, clothing, or an Elizabethan collar.