Skin Warts on Dogs

When it comes to our dogs, we often share time, affection and food with them, but we can also share certain diseases with man's best friend too. Skin warts are a viral infection---caused and transmitted in the same manner in humans and dogs. As with humans, warts can be uncomfortable and itchy, and they can come and go. The good news is that there are treatments for persistent warts.

  1. Papilloma Virus

    • Just like with humans, the papilloma virus causes skin warts in dogs. This viral infection creates irregular skin nodules that by themselves are harmless. The virus itself is incurable, although a dog's immune system can fight it off and rid itself of warts. Papilloma is communicable and can be spread most easily by touch, and dogs with compromised immune systems are most susceptible.

    Puppies

    • Puppies typically have greater odds of contracting papilloma and developing warts because their immune systems are not fully developed, leaving them unable to fight off the virus. However, as a puppy matures her immune system usually strengthens and fights off warts.

    Complications

    • By and large, warts pose no threat and usually disappear over time. They rarely trigger or complicate other health issues. However, dogs are notorious for licking and biting at warts, which can lead to bleeding, infection and the spread of the virus. In this case your dog may require medical treatment.

    Natural Treatments

    • One approach to fighting warts is to strengthen a dog's immune system. Vitamin E oil supports the immune system and fights infections. You can find Vitamin E capsules in health food and drug stores. Simply open a capsule and apply the oil inside to warts and surrounding areas. Similarly, vitamin C is available in topical and oral forms. Whether rubbing it on your dog's skin or adding crushed vitamin pills to dog food, it's a natural, non-toxic, non-invasive treatment. Vitamin A can also be a helpful oral supplement, and castor oil used as a topical remedy can soften wart tissue to reduce irritation.

    Surgical Treatments

    • Veterinarians have three options to remove a wart, including surgical excision, electrocautery (in which the vet burns off the wart) or freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen. All of these are common procedures typically performed at a veterinarian's office using local anesthesia.