Warts are more common than many people believe, especially in young pups. Dog warts are caused by viruses and are formally known as canine viral papilloma. They can also be called canine viral papillomatosis.
When an owner realizes their pet has a wart, they will often begin to panic, especially if it is a sebaceous adenoma in dogs. It is important owners do not panic. As a puppy ages, it is likely its immune system will grow stronger and begin to fight any warts.
Some dog warts do not go away on their own. Rarely, dog warts can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.
Article Summary
When Does a Dog Wart Need to Be Removed?
Sometimes, a dog needs to have warts removed. Owners need to be aware of the reasons a wart may need to be removed so they can take the appropriate action. The following offers some reasons that may require dog wart removal.
- The wart has become irritated.
- The wart has become infected.
- There are multiple warts on the dog.
- The warts are located in sensitive areas like a dog’s mouth—oral papillomatosis [1].
At-Home Treatments for Dog Wart Removal
While most dog warts are harmless, there may be times when they need to be removed. If your dog’s wart seems to be infected, it would be wise to seek the vet. For most warts, the following at-home treatments will help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Before using this method, we must provide a word of caution. Apple cider vinegar treatments should never be used on dogs that have warts around their genitals. This type of wart should only be treated by the vet.
Using this method involves multiple steps. While it is a painless treatment, in the beginning, your dog may experience some irritation and stinging once the wart starts breaking down. Use the following steps to treat warts on your dog’s body with apple cider vinegar.
- Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar into a clean disposable cup.
- Put petroleum jelly around the wart so the ACV does not come into contact with the healthy skin.
- Have your dog lie down and relax, making sure you have access to the wart.
- Use an eyedropper or small syringe to place two to three drops of vinegar on each wart.
- Wipe off any excess vinegar that may run from the treatment area.
- Try to keep your dog still and entertained for ten minutes so the vinegar can sink into the wart.
- Repeat this process three to four times a day until the wart is gone. Make sure to give your dog treats after each ACV treatment.
The top of the wart will eventually begin to dissolve or fall off. Because the underlying tissue is sensitive, vinegar may cause irritation. Continue the treatments until the entire wart falls off. This will leave behind a small red blistered area. Use the following steps to care for the wound left behind until it heals.
- Use a clean washcloth and mild soap to clean the wound.
- Apply coconut oil to the wound to aid in healing.
- Do these steps once a day until the wound is healed completely.
Castor Oil
Castor oil treatments can also help you get rid of dog warts. Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that can be found in any drug or grocery store. Do not apply the oil with your fingers because warts can be spread to other areas of the infected dog. Ideally, you should apply with a gloved finger or a cotton swab.
Apply castor oil once a day to your dog’s warts. This oil will soften the wart and begin to break it down over time. Castor oil also helps to stop the irritation and itching warts can cause.
CAS
CAS is a supplement that can be used to treat dog warts. This supplement is made from medicinal mushrooms. CAS contains beta-glucans that have both anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.
This supplement helps to keep a dog’s immune system working properly. Giving your dog CAS supplements will help him fight off the virus that is causing warts.
Immune System Boosting
Most dogs suffer from warts because their immune systems are not working as efficiently as they should. Improving your dog’s immune system should give it the boost it needs for fighting the virus that causes wart development in dogs.
There are immune-boosting dog vitamins that contain ingredients like vitamin C. These vitamins are made specifically for dogs and should be administered according to directions from your vet.
L-Lysine
Giving your dog L-Lysine supplements twice a day is beneficial for helping his body fight the virus that causes warts. Ask your vet about this supplement. Most vets recommend 500mg of L-Lysine twice a day, depending on the age of the dog and its weight. You can give this supplement with dog food.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a natural vitamin that is good for your dog’s health. You can pierce a vitamin E capsule with a small pin and squirt a few drops directly on your dog’s wart. Spread the vitamin over the wart using a clean cotton swab.
You can apply vitamin E to your dog’s wart three to four times a day until it goes away. It can take two to three weeks for the wart to go away, so be patient.
Psorinoheel
Psorinoheel is a supplement that is made from sulfur and platinum. The ingredients in this supplement are antiviral, which is just what your dog needs to fight the virus that causes warts.
Thuja
Thuja is a treatment that is homeopathic in nature. This supplement is made from a tree and contains ingredients that are considered primarily safe for dogs. Give your dog this supplement once a day for a week. Ask your vet before administering.
Dog Wart Treatments Administered by a Vet
Some dog wart removal treatments must be administered by a veterinarian. If you are concerned about your dog’s wart or it is not responding to at-home treatments, it is time to see the vet so they can perform one of the following treatments.
Antibiotics
Sometimes, dog warts will not respond to any treatment until antibiotics are given. Vets will often prescribe azithromycin for canine warts. The most common dosage is once a day for 10-15 days. Make sure to finish the entire round of antibiotics, even if your dog’s wart begins to go away before the medication is finished.
Crushing Warts
For dog wart crushing, veterinarians will work to clear up warts using autogenous vaccination. This treatment involves the vet administering particles of the wart virus in the dog’s bloodstream. This release triggers the dog’s immune system and causes it to begin fighting the virus, which will clear up warts.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery uses a tool that produces a small amount of electricity. This concentrated amount of electricity is applied to the wart. Electrocautery burns the diseased tissue. This procedure is done under local anesthesia so your dog does not experience any discomfort.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is another option that is available for treating dog warts. This treatment uses a special tool that creates frigid temperatures. When the tool is applied to the wart, it destroys the tissue, killing the wart. Like electrocautery, cryosurgery is performed while your dog is under local anesthesia. Your dog should feel no discomfort during the procedure.
Cimetidine
Cimetidine is a prescription drug that is given orally. This antacid is believed to help a dog’s immune system work more effectively. Giving this drug to your dog will help him fight off the papillomavirus.
Imiquimod
Imiquimod is an antiviral and anti-tumor treatment. It is beneficial on some types of canine papillomaviruses. This treatment helps to speed up the body’s destruction of the wart.
Excision
There is also the option of excision. This is the oldest practice for stubborn warts, but it is risky because the dog must be put under full anesthesia. Excision involves the vet using a scalpel to remove the wart and the surrounding tissue. The open wound left behind is closed with sutures or staples.
Laser Ablation
Depending on the equipment in your vet’s office, laser ablation is an effective treatment option. Laser ablation treats dog warts all the way down to the root. By destroying the root of the wart, it is less likely to grow back.
Just like excision, a dog must be put to sleep while undergoing laser ablation. The procedure is safe but does require a healing process for the wound.
Reducing Immunosuppression
If any immunosuppressants is being taken for cases of autoimmune diseases in dogs, it is important to discuss stopping these medications right away. Often, vets will recommend this type of medication be stopped to give the dog’s immune system time to fight the viral infection that is causing warts.
Your vet has the answers you need about dog wart removal. Even if you want to carry out treatment at home, it is wise to consult with your vet and learn which option will be best. When in doubt, take your dog in for a checkup to allow the vet to examine the wart before treatment.
FAQ About Dog Wart Removal
Your dog is important to you, and you worry when something is wrong. If your dog has developed a wart, you likely have a lot of questions and concerns. The following FAQ should give you some of the answers you need.
1. How can I get rid of my dog’s warts?
There are multiple methods for dog wart removal. You can use at-home remedies or see your vet for tougher warts that do not seem to respond to treatment. Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective treatments, but there are many more. You can also apply vitamin E or castor oil. It may take one to two weeks for treatment, depending on the size of the wart. You may also need to see your vet.
2. How do you get rid of warts on dogs naturally?
There are natural means of getting rid of a dog’s wart. Treatments like vitamin E, castor oil, and apple cider vinegar can all be effective. You can also give your dog vitamin supplements that help to boost his immune system so his body can fight viral infection. In most cases, natural remedies work, but if your dog’s wart does not respond after one week, discontinue use and call the vet.
3. Can I use wart remover on my dog’s wart?
While some owners attempt to use over-the-counter wart remedies that are made for humans, these are not recommended for dogs. There are some wart removers that are made to specifically treat canine papilloma. Ask your vet before administering any remedy to your dog, especially if you are not familiar with how it works.
4. How long do canine warts last?
In most cases, canine warts do not need treatment. If left alone, they will typically go away, though it could take up to five months. With vet treatment, the wart can be removed right away. At-home treatments may require one to two weeks or longer, depending on the treatment you choose.
Final Thoughts
Although finding a wart on your dog can be disheartening, it is not a reason to be afraid. Most cases of dog warts are benign and require no intervention from you. If you do choose any of the above methods for dog wart removal, proceed with caution and make sure to consult with your vet before administration. Soon, your dog’s wart will be a thing of the past.
