Why does my dog have a black wart
Warts on Dogs: The Complete Guide
Finding a lump or bump on your dog is concerning, to say the least, but not all lumps and bumps are created equal. This is particularly true for dog warts, also known as canine papillomatosis, which is benign growth that is likely to still worry dog owners. Here's what you must know should you ever encounter warts on dogs.
What are Dog Warts?
Dog warts are benign growths (also called tumors or papillomas) on your dogs skin. The papilloma or wart is most often flash colored and has the appearance of a cauliflower head with small flesh-colored heads clustered together.
This is what a wart on a dog looks like:
Although dog warts are most often pink (as shown in the above photo), it is also possible for them to be black, grey, or red and they can also have more or less texture to them. Dog warts may also have a flatter appearance or seem scaly and they can even grow inward rather than outward.
Papillomas or warts can appear just about anywhere on your dogs body, but the specific virus responsible for causing each type of wart tends to be different. The most frequent site of papilloma warts on dogs is around the mouth or on or around the paws.
What Causes Dog Warts?
Dog warts are also called papillomas because they are caused by a virus called the Papillomavirus.
The Papillomavirus is an opportunistic virus that inserts their genetic information into your dogs cells DNA. This alters how your dogs cells divide, causing them to divide more often and in an abnormal way. This causes the growth of warts on your dogs skin.
The Papillomavirus can be transmitted through contact with an infected dog, through toys, bowls, bedding, through cuts and abrasions, or via pests like mosquitoes and fleas.
Are Some Dogs More Predisposed to Warts?
The Papillomavirus is a common virus that all dogs are exposed to at various points during their lifetime. Whether or not a dog develops papillomas after exposure to the virus is dependent on their immune system.
A healthy dogs immune system will fight the Papillomavirus and it is often unable to take hold. If the virus does cause papilloma growth, warts do not spread to other parts of the body and can usually resolve themselves over a month or two. Warts that are removed from a healthy dog also tend not to regrow because after contracting the virus once, their body has developed an immunity to it.
Although a dog with a healthy immune system does not always present with symptoms, its important to be aware that they can still carry the infection and expose other dogs to the virus.
In comparison to a healthy dog, a dog with a compromised immune system is unable to fight against the virus and so it takes hold and causes warts. These warts can spread or recur after removal.
Warts are frequently found in older dogs because they tend to have less robust immune systems. Dogs that have an immune imbalance or autoimmune condition are also susceptible to the virus.
In the case of oral papillomas, younger dogs are also often subject to infection because of their undeveloped immune systems.
How Are Warts on Dogs Diagnosed?
Dog warts are easily identified by an experienced veterinarian. Most dogs will, at some point in their life, develop at least one or two of these warts and so the average veterinarian sees their fair share of them during their career.
A visual exam is often enough for a veterinarian to know what they are looking at but to be sure, they may also perform a fine needle aspiration. This requires inserting a thin needle directly into the growth and taking a small sample of the cells that make it up. By looking at these sample cells under a microscope the vet can usually determine the presence of Papillomavirus.
Once in a while, a fine needle aspiration will reveal unclear findings and when this happens, a biopsy may be required. Since papillomas on dogs tend to be smaller growths, the biopsy sample is usually collected by fully removing the wart. The tissue is then sent to a veterinary pathologist who can examine the cells of the growth with more certainty.
How to Treat Warts on Dogs
In healthy dogs, vets often take the watch and wait approach to treatment for dog warts. They keep an eye on the wart progression and see if it resolves itself (it usually does) or whether it persists or spreads.
In dogs with a compromised immune system, an active treatment method is more likely. For example, these dogs tend to have more warts which grow in clusters or can grow to be quite large. It is also quite common for immune-compromised dogs to develop infected papillomas which may require surgical removal or antibiotic treatment.
The preferred method of papilloma treatment is surgical removal of the complete growth. The need for removal is generally decided on a case-by-case basis considering the dogs age, the number of papillomas present, any restriction on comfort or movement caused by the presence of [apillomas, infection, ingrown papillomas, and any other health conditions which may influence a dogs ability to undergo medical procedures.
If warts are not causing any problems for your dog in terms of movement, infection, or pain, its still usually the best choice to leave the growths alone and simply watch and wait.
Should I Remove My Dogs Warts?
Most veterinarians will not remove papillomas unless they cause problems for your dogs health or comfort. Keep this in mind when you are debating whether or not you should have them removed yourself at home.
If you feel like wart removal is necessary, talk to your veterinarian about your decision to be sure that you are not putting your dog at risk.
Cosmetic reasons are not a good enough reason to have your dogs warts removed. If your dog has papillomas already, it means that their immune system is not at its best and unnecessary surgical procedures (no matter how small) can leave them susceptible to infection.
Are Dog Warts Dangerous?
Canine papillomae are usually not a cause for concern themselves (although very rarely they can become cancerous), but they can be the cause of a more serious condition or a sign of something more serious.
Firstly, papillomas can become infected if they are repeatedly scratched, bitten, knocked, or otherwise irritated. If left untreated, an infection can spread and lead to more serious health problems in your pet.
Secondly, if the dog has developed an ongoing series of papillomas, it is a sign that their immune system is not as robust as it should be. In this instance, you should maintain a close relationship with your vet so that you can watch or test for symptoms related to auto-immune diseases or simply monitor lower immune system function.
Also keep in mind that while papillomae are generally not dangerous, its important that you confirm that you are dealing with actual papillomas first. It is possible for other growths or lesions to look similar to dog warts when they are much more sinister in nature.
Can Dog Warts Be Prevented?
If your dog is infected with the Papillomavirus and you know that they are infected, do not allow them to come into contact with other dogs. Since the virus is contagious with direct contact, you can prevent other dogs from becoming infected by keeping your pooch at home until the virus subsides.
Lastly, if your pet has a compromised immune system, avoid taking them to areas where they may be exposed to the Papillomavirus such as dog parks and kennels.
Is There a Connection Between Dog Warts and Vaccines?
Some people believe that there is a connection between the development of papillomae and vaccinating dogs. This is a tricky assumption because pet owners often take it a reason to stop vaccinating their pets altogether. This is NOT the answer.
When I say that vaccinations can lead to the development of Papillomavirus, we are talking about OVER-vaccination. All dogs should receive their core vaccines and each annual booster should be preceded by a titer test that will determine whether or not a booster shot is necessary.
This alternative to needless annual vaccinations means that your dogs immune system is not taxed unnecessarily with vaccinations that arent needed. This also means that if your dog is exposed to the Papillomavirus, they are going to be less likely to contract it due to a subdued immune system due to over-vaccination.
3 Other Lumps and Bumps Commonly Confused with Warts
There are a few different types of growths on dogs that can be misidentified as papillomas by the untrained eye because they are visually similar. Three of these most common dog skin growths include sebaceous cysts, histiocytomas, and mast cell tumors.
1. Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous cysts are the growth most frequently confused with papillomae. These growths are smooth in texture and are colored similarly to papillomae. Sebaceous cysts are benign growths that result from excess sebum building up around hair follicles and creating a lump underneath the skin. As this lump grows it can either erupt or it can remain as is.
These types of growth on dogsare usually left alone by vets since they dont often pose problems and when they are drained, they tend to fill back up again because the sac which held the cyst contents is still in place. This sac can be removed via surgery but it is unnecessary in most instances.
2. Histiocytomas
Histiocytomas are another growth that can be confused with papillomas although they tend to be much angrier in appearance with a deep red coloration. This type of growth is comprised of immune cells and grows very quickly.
Vets tend to watch and wait with histiocytomas because they can resolve themselves, but if they do ulcerate, become problematic, or fail to resolve, surgical removal is best.
3. Mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors are also developed out of immune cells, but they are something to worry about and the reason why you should always consult your vet for a lump diagnosis rather than just waiting it out.
Mast cell tumors are cancerous tumors that can take on a wide range of physical characteristics which can make them hard to diagnose without veterinary intervention. These types of tumors grow very quickly and can metastasize and are notoriously difficult to treat, but with early intervention and the right treatment protocol, they can be treated successfully.
When to Visit a Vet for Lumps and Bumps on Your Dog
We always believe that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to any veterinary concern. It is a far better feeling to waste the cost of a vet visit and know that your dog is just fine than it is to find out that your dog has had a cancerous growth for the past three months and rather than seek veterinary advice, you decided to watch and wait.
READ NEXT:9 Common Skin Problems in Dogs (How to Prevent and Treat Them)
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What causes dog warts and how can you prevent them? We have the answers
When we use the phrase I love my dog, warts and all, were typically referring to an undesirable trait were willing to overlook because our pooch is otherwise a very good pup. But what about literal warts? Whether your pup has always had a few warts, or youve noticed their appearance suddenly, dog warts are extremely common. So, what causes dog warts? Most importantly, should you be concerned about them? Well tell you what you need to know.
Should I worry if my dog has warts?
You might feel a surge of panic if your dog has been diagnosed with canine viral papillomatosis. But theres no need to worry; that mouthful of a name is merely the medical term for dog warts. Caused by a form of the herpes virus, dog warts are benign tumors that usually wont cause your pooch any distress. Canine papillomavirus normally has a one-to-two-month incubation period, and it can be spread through direct contact with an infected animal or contact with shared items contaminated by the virus.
For example, if your pup shared bedding or toys with a dog who has warts, its very likely hell also develop them. However, healthy, undamaged skin creates a barrier against the virus. According to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, The virus requires injured skin to establish infection. Even the smallest scratch or rash can leave your pup open to a viral infection, especially if he has a compromised immune system.
But we have some good news: you cant contract warts from your dog, and they cant spread the virus to your family cat, either. In most cases, warts wont cause any issues, but they can become infected if your dog bites or scratches at them. In very rare cases, some warts may be malignant.
Why is my dog getting more warts?
While one or two small groups of warts can be easily ignored, you may have reason to be concerned if your pup develops a massive cluster of warts. Young puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with chronic health problems may have weaker immune systems, which puts them at an increased risk of large groups of warts.
Your vet may remove the warts by surgically excising them, freezing them off, or using laser ablation therapy. However, most warts will disappear on their own in two months to a yearonce your pups immune system has mustered a defense against canine papillomavirus.
What causes old dog warts?
Canine papillomavirus is most common in young to middle-aged dogs, but it also affects dogs with compromised immune systems. Just like seniors are more likely to develop infections, older dogs are also at an increased risk. Your senior pups lowered immune system creates the perfect breeding ground for canine papillomavirus.
What causes dog warts in older pups? When older dogs develop wart-like lumps, they arent always traditional warts. As dogs age, the normal cellular regeneration process changes, causing certain skin cells to grow at a rapid rate. This unusual growth rate often leads to benign skin growths that resemble warts. But that doesnt mean you should ignore the sudden appearance of a wart-like growth on your beloved fur baby.
Senior dogs have a higher chance of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer often characterized by the appearance of firm, wart-like growths. Youll usually spot these clusters on your dogs head, hindquarters, lower legs, or abdomen, whereas viral warts usually occur on or near mucus membranes like the eyes and mouth. (In some cases, viral warts may also grow in clusters between your dogs toes, on your dogs eyelids, or even on the surface of the eye.)
What should I do if my dog has warts?
While you can easily purchase wart removal products for the annoying wart on your finger, we dont recommend DIY wart removal for your dog. Instead, we advise you to schedule a visit with the vet. In most cases, your dogs warts can be left alone. But if your pups warts are causing problems, you should leave treating them in your vets hands. In addition to removing the warts, your vet may biopsy them or recommend immune-boosting drugs like Interferon.
If you have multiple dogs, youll need to keep your pup quarantined while he has an active infection. Dont allow your dogs to share bedding, food and water bowls, or toys while the infection is present. If possible, dont take your pup to dog parks or board him while he has an active infection, as he could expose immunocompromised dogs to it. Remember, when in doubt, consult your vet on how best to manage your dogs condition.
