Dermatological problems are very common in the veterinary clinic and always worry the tutors. Canine papillomatosis is a dermatological problem that usually causes generally benign warts on dogs’ skin and mucous membranes. While this is something that any tutor can easily identify visually or when he caresing their pet, not everyone comes to the vet early for information.
If you’ve noticed one or more warts on your dog’s body and don’t know what it might be, continue reading this Animal Expert article to learn more about canine papillomatosis: what it is and how to treat it.
- Papillomatosis is a viral infectious disease caused by a papillomavirus.
- This disease comes in most cases from benign skin tumors.
- It usually occurs in dogs and is very rare in cats.
It can be transmitted by direct contact between infected dogs or by indirect contact, saliva or blood. Simply sharing the same toy, feeder or feeder is enough for contagion. If you’ve ever wondered if canine papillomatosis is contagious to humans, the answer is no. This disease is species-specific, i.e. only dogs can contract canine papillomavirus without affecting humans, cats or other animal species.
The incubation period can vary from one to two months, and an animal may have the virus in its body and the virus does not appear until after this incubation period. Although it has no predisposition to breed or sex, this virus benefits animals with weaker immune systems such as puppies, elderly dogs or animals immunosuppressed by other diseases.
Papillomas are structures of the skin, also called warts, similar to cauliflower. They usually have:
They usually appear in the oral mucosa, pharynx and skin (face, lips, eyelids, interdigital space and digital pads are the most common skin locations).
If located in the mouth, they can cause, depending on their number and location:
If they are near the eyes and eyelids, they may
Generally, with a good history with physical examination and observation of warts, the veterinarian’s great suspicion is papillomatosis. The onset of the wart already places canine papillomatosis at the top of the list of differential diagnoses.
However, definitive diagnosis is only possible by obtaining a sample using the biopsy technique (incisional or scisional) followed by histopathological or PCR analysis.
Treatment is generally not indicated because, in most cases, many papillomas spontaneously reced between four and six months after infection and can last up to 12 months before reversing.
If these structures infect, ulcerate, or if there is a loss of quality of life due to poor vision or swallowing and feeding, surgical removal is indicated as a treatment. Some guardians, for aesthetic reasons, may also opt for surgical removal of these warts.
Cryotherapy, cold removal or electrocauterization can also be used to eliminate papillomae, but these are still techniques that not all veterinarians have access to.
Immunotherapy, a vaccine that had the papilloma itself, is used to stimulate the animal’s body to build defenses against the virus. It is important that the animal has a well-strengthened immune system, otherwise it can cause the side effect and the animal develops even more papillomas or other more serious problems.
There are other drugs that are used for these cases: azithromycin, interferon and imiquimod, but not all veterinarians claim to be effective. When it comes to something smart, chemotherapy may be an option.
If you’re wondering if canine papillomatosis is treated at home, the answer is NO. There is no home remedy to remove the dog’s wart, but you can apply a little castor oil to reduce irritation, if any.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read articles similar to canine Papillomatosis: what it is and how to treat it, we recommend that you visit our Skin Problems section.