Oral Papillomatosis in dogs is simpler than it sounds. This condition refers to little warts (or papillomas) that grow around the dog’s mucus glands on his face. Although it doesn’t look very friendly, the good news is that it’s not a severe condition and generally tends to resolve itself after a few weeks.
That said, however…
One should know that younger dogs are prone to picking up this infection. Unfortunately, it is quickly passed from pup to pup via contact and interaction with chew toys that have been affected, so if you’ve just recently adopted a new puppy, this may be something you want to be particularly careful of.
On a more excellent note, the papillomas shouldn’t cause scarring or pain, and they typically resolve themselves quickly. And after your puppy has been infected, he is believed to be protected from the risk of future contraction. So even though Oral papillomatosis sounds like a terrible, life-threatening disease – it isn’t. Also, this disease is specific only to dogs, so you won’t catch it, nor will any other pet types.
What is Oral papillomatosis, and where does it come from?
The Papillomavirus is pretty standard among dogs, and you tend to find that certain breeds are prone to having them all over their bodies. They are also prevalent in older dogs and often present as little lumps under the fur that will grow to a size and then shouldn’t change shape.
Now…
As with all lumps and bumps, it is better to have them checked by the veterinarian to ensure they are not cancerous. Likewise, it is best to see the vet immediately if this condition fails to clear up within two months or if warts change shape or size rapidly. Visit the vet if they go swollen, red, or black. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Oral Papillomas means…
When these little warts have appeared around your pup’s mouth, this canine oral papillomavirus sports growths on the mucus membranes inside your dog’s mouth and can take months to manifest itself. It tends to affect young dogs more than older dogs, but Canine Oral Papillomatosis will not affect cats and other animals. So if your vet has given you this diagnosis, it is because they have found lesions or tumors growing in your dog’s mouth or on their tongue. This skin disease is a viral infection that should pass, but you can opt for surgical excision if you think it is necessary.
Most Commonly Affected Breeds
Canine Oral Papillomavirus is not a breed-specific condition and can affect any dog. It is worth mentioning that this condition is quickly passed through contact with other breeds and can spread rapidly. It also has a long incubation period and will not manifest for weeks or months after contact with the infected dog.
Fortunately…
This virus won’t spread to cats or other pets, nor will it infect humans, so your household’s other little hands and paws will be safe. If you have more than one dog, this virus will likely work through them all. The best thing to do is to consult your vet and wait it out. Surgery is always an option if your vet thinks it is necessary.
Treatment Options
Canine Papilloma is a sink disease in the mouth and around the mucus membranes. Another disease that presents as tumors in the mouth and the digestive tract is squamous cell carcinoma, which is cancerous and will require immediate surgical removal. When your vet has confirmed your Papillomavirus diagnosis, treatment options can be devised.
Normally…
This condition is self-limiting, meaning that the growths will use up all the available space and then start to die off. This may leave your dog with skin lesions that can be infected. However, Viral papillomas do generally not require surgery, but if your dog is in pain or discomfort, your vet may want them removed. This is why it’s always best to have your dog checked out by a professional and rely on either expertise when establishing a game plan for treatment.
Also, it’s important to note that…
An autogenous vaccine for this disease may help you if you have multiple pets in one household. The trouble is that this disease has such a long incubation period that you might not know they have caught it. The vaccine can be used if your dog has come into contact with an infected pet, but it might already be too late.
There are also…
Your vet may prescribe several topical cream medications and anti-viral medicines to ease your dog’s symptoms. These are viable treatment plans; your vet will decide what is best. It is worth considering that the risk of infection from surgery might not be worth it for a condition that will effectively clean itself up in a month or two. That being said, the decision is yours.
This brings us to…
Were we like to remind folks that we here at IndulgeYourPet are not doctors, veterinarians, or medical professionals. We are all a bunch of folks passionate about animals and only want what’s best for them. If you feel your pet may have oral papillomas (or any other health issue), you will want to have them checked out by a vet ASAP!
Because…
An early diagnosis will often lead to the “best” medical outcome for your pet regardless of what is bothering them, but beyond that, diagnosing a medical condition early could save you a bundle in medical costs! This is also why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
