Papilloma Virus

Papilloma / Warts

Papillomas’ are wart-like lesions that appear around the mouth and face region of puppies and young dogs and is due to the papilloma virus. These lesions are quite common. The good news is that papilloma in puppies is harmless, pain-free and will disappear quickly.

Generally, papilloma in puppies doesn’t need treatment as most cases will be resolved in two to three months. The important thing to remember is that while the lesions are present, the puppies are potentially shedding the papilloma virus.

The disease is quite contagious so when puppies play together, mouthing each other and playing with each other’s toys, the disease is spread. Visible lesions mean that active virus is probably present.

Safe for humans

The papilloma virus is not transmittable to people. It’s very species-specific. While normal hygiene procedures should be maintained when handling your puppy, you are perfectly safe from the virus.

Young dogs become infected due to the fact that their immune system is not fully competent. Once the puppy is full-grown, its immune system will have the ability to deal with the virus properly.

Occasionally, papilloma will affect older dogs that have a compromised immune system or are on drugs that suppress their immune system.

Treatments

Unfortunately, if Veterinarians remove the wart lesions, more will just come up. Provided there’s no underlying illness, treatment is unnecessary—it’s really just a matter of simply letting it heal by itself.

The only treatment that may have a positive effect is the application of a new type of topical cream. This assists in the destruction of the virus and may get rid of the warts more quickly.

Occasionally, the lesions get infected with the normal bacteria that lives in the dog’s mouth. In that situation, antibiotics can be prescribed as a secondary treatment for the infection. It’s not going to do anything about the actual warts but the antibacterials will combat the secondary infections.

Don’t worry

While the lesions don’t look great, the puppies aren’t even aware they’re present. If the dog has an unusually high number of lesions, it might be a little uncomfortable but usually they are oblivious to them and they will disappear within two months.

Daycare

At HOTH please be assured that our steel water bowls are changed frequently throughout the day and filled with fresh water.  The bowls are washed and disinfected each day as are all our dog toys.

We do spot checks on puppies for warts and to date we have not had any cases.