In 2008, it was reported that a 10-day course of azithromycin removed all oral papillomas within 15 days. Azithromycin is an antibiotic that seems to have some action against various viruses via an unknown mechanism. Other treatments that could potentially be used earlier on in the disease process include azithromycin, interferon, and imiquimod. Cryotherapy, the removal of the “warts” by freezing the tissue, is also a possible treatment in some specialty clinics. If that is the case, oral antibiotics will be prescribed to clear the bacterial infection.įor those dogs whose papillomas persist for more than three months, or whose papillomas interfere with the dog’s normal function (especially eating), or if there are concerns about the possibility of conversion to cancer, surgical removal is recommended. In some cases, oral papillomas may be infected with bacteria from the mouth. However, senior or immunocompromised dogs are more likely to have papillomas that persist for more than a few months, or are more likely to have their papillomas develop into malignant squamous cell carcinomas. Treatment is usually not necessary in younger dogs since most papillomas will spontaneously disappear within 1-2 months as the developing immune system learns how to deal with the virus. Senior dogs with weaker immune systems due to age and those dogs whose immune systems are compromised due to steroid use or chemotherapy, may also be susceptible to the canine papilloma virus.ĭiagnosis of oral papillomas is usually fairly straightforward since they have a rather unique and characteristic appearance. Normally a mature immune system is able to combat the virus before it takes hold, but young dogs who do not have a fully developed immune system are susceptible to the virus. Thus once the virus establishes itself, there is a rapid and abnormal growth of skin cells that results in the formation of “warts” or papillomas. The virus also prevents the normal process of programmed cell death. Once a dog has been infected, the viruses insert their DNA into the dog’s cells and take over control of the cell division process, causing the skin cells to divide abnormally and more often than normal. The incubation period (time between infection and onset of symptoms) is one to two months. Because the actively dividing cells that the virus prefers are deep within the skin layer, the virus must infect a new dog through injured skin dogs with healthy intact skin will not become infected. ![]() The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the papillomas of an infected dog or with the virus itself in an infected dog’s environment (toys, bedding, food bowls, etc.). They are usually found in groups, so if you find one on your dog, continue looking inside his mouth and around his lips for more papillomas. Rarely, these papillomas can be found on the eyelids or between the toes. They typically occur on the lips and around the muzzle of a young dog (usually less than two years of age). These tumors have a classic fimbriated appearance, which means they are round, but have a rough surface similar to a sea anemone or a cauliflower. “Warts” are essentially benign (non-cancerous) skin tumors caused by canine papilloma virus-1 (CPV-1). Take away message for bumps on dog’s lipsīumps on Dog Lips Papilloma virus (warts)ĭog warts are probably the most common cause of a bump on the lips of your dog.
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