Papillomavirus is a viral infection that has the potential to affect dogs as well as humans and other animals. In dogs, papillomavirus causes the formation of papillomas or warts.
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Types
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Canine mucous membrane papillomatosis involves the formation of multiple warts on the lips and inside the mouth of young dogs or puppies. Cutaneous inverted papillomas form on the abdomen rather than the mouth.
Prevalence
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For viral papillomas, there is no one breed of dog that is more susceptible to the virus, according to the Merck Medical Manual.
Symptoms
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Papillomas normally resemble cauliflower and are a white or cream color. Oral papillomas cause bad breath, drooling, increased salivation and bleeding from the mouth, according to PetPlace.com.
Time Frame
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Unless the oral papillomas inferfere with feeding, dogs do not require treatment and the warts will disappear within one to five months, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Abdominal papillomas are more likely to be treated because they pose a slight risk for the development of skin cancer, according to the Merck Medical Manual.
Treatment
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Veterinarians have the ability to freeze off or surgically remove both oral or abdominal papillomas. Normally, veterinarians wait until the warts are starting to shrink, because removing the growths too early may cause them to return, the Merck Veterinary Manual said.
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