What Causes Dog Warts?
1. Papilloma Virus
The Papilloma virus is the most well-known cause of warts that occur in dogs. This virus usually affects young dogs, before their immune system is sufficiently developed to fight the viral attack.Papilloma warts are also very common in older dogs, since a dog's immune system will weaken with age. However, for most of the adult years, dogs will not be affected with papilloma warts (also called papillomas). The Papilloma virus is contagious, and can be passed between afflicted dogs. Most adult dogs have an immune system that is sufficient to fight the virus, and do not develop papillomas.
The papilloma virus may also affect dogs that have a primary infection that is weakening their immune system. Papilloma warts are commonly seen in dogs that have an auto-immune disease, or are undergoing intensive cancer chemotherapy treatments.
2. Tumors Of The Sebaceous Glands
Some warts are caused by small benign tumors that develop in the sebaceous glands. As the secretions from the glands fill the tumor tissue, the wart increases in size. These warts do not clear up on their own, and require surgical removal.
3. Vaccinosis (Over-Vaccination)
The concept of over-vaccination of dogs being a cause of warts is relatively new, as over-vaccination has been shown to cause many other health problems. Most warts that are connected to vaccinations are an allergic reaction to the contents of the vaccination. These warts are characterized by being red, clustered, and scaly in appearance. This is not an officially recognized cause of warts, and is most commonly only suggested by holistic veterinarians.
4. Malignant Melanoma
Malignant Melanoma is a potentially fatal type of skin cancer, and can be diagnosed with the presence of small warts around your dog's facial area. These warts are usually drastically different in appearance than any other type of wart, being dark brown or black in color. Warts that are a sign of melanoma are sometimes accompanied by other abnormal tissue developments of your dog's skin, and are usually easily identified.
5. Tumors Of The Melibomium Glands
This type of wart is usually present around the eye area, sometimes occurring on the inside of the eyelid. These warts are caused by small tumors that develop in the glands around the outside of your dog's ocular region. Also called "eyelid warts" these warts usually require surgical removal, as they can eventually be damaging to your dog's eyesight.
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