Most warts on dogs are benign and don't really need to be removed. Unnecessary wart removal can actually stress your dog out and even trigger warts to develop again in the future. However, if you want to get rid of warts on your dog, there are several holistic treatments you can try yourself before visiting the vet and incurring the expense of a professional.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Evaluating Warts
Step 1. Observe if the lump is indeed a wart
Dog warts, or sebaceous gland cysts, are basically benign skin bumps that develop as dogs age, much like moles in humans. However, other lumps can also appear on the dog's body, some of which are benign fleshy bumps, mast cell tumors, histiocytomas, hair follicle tumors, collagenous nevus, and fibromas.
If you are unsure whether the bumps that appear on your dog are warts or some other disease, talk to your veterinarian about this. The vet can take some of the cells in the lump and examine it under a microscope so that a proper diagnosis can be made
Step 2. Observe the appearance of the wart
True warts are caused by the papilloma virus and usually appear in puppies or older dogs who have an immune system imbalance. These warts will look like cauliflower stalks and usually appear on the nose, lips, or gums. These warts usually go away after a few months as the dog's immune system develops, but can also spread to make it difficult for the dog to swallow or breathe.
- Benign warts are generally flesh-colored and small, and tend to resemble small mushrooms.
- If a benign wart is enlarged and appears inflamed, you may need to have it removed. However, you can't always tell whether a wart is malignant or not just by looking at it. Often, malignant warts are black, quickly enlarge, and become inflamed. These warts generally appear around the eyelids or lips, and should be treated as soon as possible.
Step 3. Note the growth of the wart
As long as the wart is not enlarged or deformed, you may not need to remove it. However, you should let your veterinarian know if any warts on your dog have grown in size so they can monitor them too.
Warts often go away on their own. Even so, warts that don't go away are generally harmless
Step 4. Consider whether the wart is causing a problem
You can remove warts for cosmetic reasons. However, surgery is usually not recommended for this reason alone. However, if benign warts often get stuck, cause itching and scratching by your dog, or make your dog feel uncomfortable, you may want to take action to get rid of them.
Your vet may also provide guidance to help you determine if the wart needs to be removed. Warts that are potentially irritated from scratching or rubbing against leashes should be removed to prevent recurrent infection and inflammation. Sometimes, itching may also indicate that the wart is malignant and needs to be removed
Method 2 of 3: Healing Warts Holistically
Step 1. Record the progress of your chosen treatment
On the first day before treatment, note the condition of the wart. Take a photo of the wart (or mole) for comparison. Use a ruler to measure the wart in millimeters. Date the photo, circle the day of treatment in the calendar, and note the size of the wart.
As long as you believe the warts on your dog are benign (non-cancerous), you can try some of the following holistic treatments. Keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence to support the efficacy of this treatment method. So, if the wart turns black, grows rapidly, or becomes inflamed, take your pet to the vet for medical treatment
Step 2. Try Thuja
Thuja is a holistic treatment made from a type of tree, and is considered safe for most dogs. This medication is available in tablet or liquid form, and must be given to dogs.
- You only need to give your dog one dose of this medicine. If the wart does not improve after the first two weeks, you can give a second dose.
- Thuja can cause abortion. So, do not give to animals that are pregnant.
Step 3. Psorinoheel is a supplement that contains psorinum, sulfur, and Thuja, all of which have antiviral effects.
Step 4. Boost your dog's immune system by providing additional vitamins
Warts may be a symptom of a weakened dog's immune system. So, warts will disappear if you overcome this problem with the immune system. Immunosupport supplements contain several immune-boosting ingredients such as arabinogalactan, lutein, and shiitake mushrooms.
Step 5. Give L-lysine to the dog
This supplement is available in pill form. Give the dog 500 mg pills twice a day until the warts are gone.
Step 6. Apply vitamin E to the surface of the wart
Use a sterile needle or clean knife to puncture a regular vitamin E capsule. Apply this vitamin directly to the surface of the wart with a clean finger or a cotton swab. Repeat this treatment 3-4 times a day for 2-3 weeks until the warts on the dog seem to improve.
Step 7. Apply castor oil on the surface of the wart
Regular castor oil, which is available at most pharmacies, can soften your dog's warts and soothe the irritation, preventing the dog from scratching and injuring them. Use a clean finger or a cotton swab to apply the oil directly to the wart's surface. Give this treatment once or twice a day, or as needed to reduce irritation until the wart disappears.
Step 8. Try giving apple cider vinegar
This treatment won't be painful at first, but as it progresses, your dog may feel a slight sting or stinging as the acid in the apple cider vinegar suppresses the growth of the wart. DO NOT use this method on warts around the dog's eyes or genitals.
- Pour some apple cider vinegar into a cup.
- Apply petroleum jelly around the wart to protect healthy skin.
- Have the dog sit or lie down so the wart is pointing upwards. Use an eye dropper to apply 2-3 drops of apple cider vinegar to the surface of the wart and allow it to soak in. Wipe off the running apple cider vinegar with a clean tissue.
- Give your dog a toy or pet to allow the apple cider vinegar to soak in for 10 minutes. Then, let the dog resume his activities again.
- Apply apple cider vinegar to the wart 3-4 times a day. As treatment progresses, the wart may start to sting as the top peels off. However, continue the treatment 3-4 times a day to the roots. The warts will eventually dry up and fall off the dog's body.
- As the root of the wart dries, the dog's skin may appear red circles or blisters. Clean this wound carefully using warm water and a washcloth. Next, apply coconut oil once a day until the wound heals. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties and will promote the recovery and regeneration of healthy skin cells.
Method 3 of 3: Medically Removing Warts
Step 1. Give azithromycin to the dog
This drug is a type of antibiotic used to treat warts in humans, and has been shown to be effective in treating warts in dogs. This medication must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Azithromycin should be taken once daily for a maximum of 10 days in a dose calculated based on the dog's weight.
Step 2. Consider subcutaneous interferon treatment for warts caused by viral infections
These antiviral treatments can be prescribed by a veterinarian, and are available for warts that don't respond to other treatments, or warts that are severe. Your vet will inject interferon into your dog several times a week, or show you how to do it at home.
- This treatment is carried out for a maximum of 8 weeks.
- While you can avoid surgery and its risks, this treatment can also cause a number of side effects, which include fever and loss of appetite.
Step 3. Ask the doctor to perform electrocautery
During this procedure, also known as electrosurgery, the vet will use a small device that allows him to apply a small, focused electric current to the wart. This electric current will burn the contaminated tissue thereby removing the wart.
This surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia so it is a good option if you are concerned about the risks of giving your dog general anesthesia
Step 4. Discuss the possibility of cryosurgery with your veterinarian
During cryosurgery, the vet will use a special tool to freeze the warts. This standardization process destroys diseased tissue, reduces the size of the wart, and in many cases, can even completely remove the wart.
Just like electrocautery, cryosurgery is also performed under local anesthesia. So, your dog will not fully fall asleep
Step 5. Consider excision
Excision is the most traditional procedure in the treatment of warts. However, the vet may have to administer general anesthesia to do so. During a traditional excision procedure, the veterinarian will cut the wart and the contaminated tissue with a scalpel.
The vet may delay this procedure until your dog has to be given general anesthesia for other reasons. Giving a dog general anesthesia just to remove the wart is an extreme measure
Step 6. Try laser ablation
Use this treatment if your dog has warts that don't go away and don't respond to other treatments. Dogs should be given general anesthesia, but this procedure can target the wart to the root so it is the best treatment option for recurring warts or warts that don't go away.
