My dog has a jaw papilloma. Will it go away or needs removal?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog has what I believe is a papilloma on his jaw. It has been there for about 3 months and has grown in size and is now the size of a large blueberry. I went to a vet who said it looks like a papilloma and only gave me the option for surgery. I then researched that surgery is usually a last option if it is bothering the pet or causing harm.. is this something that can go away on its own or should I have it removed?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 1st, 2016
Papillomas are typically found on the lips, gums, and mouth, and oral papillomas can go away on their own. It typically takes one to five months for them to go away, but some do stay permanently. I would recommend having the lump biopsied just to confirm that it is a papilloma. Once it is confirmed that it is a papilloma, then you can leave it to see if it goes away on it's own, or remove it if it keeps growing bigger or bothers your dog.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on February 5th, 2019
Yes, I would have Tux seen by a vet for this. They can confirm if he does have oral papillomas, and can discuss treatment options with you. Treatment is not usually indicated unless they become infected, as infected ones are painful to the dog. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dog developed a pea size wart next to his mouth 2 months ago. It has grown in size and is now a lot bigger but has seemed to stabilize. I took him to the vet yesterday and they immediately said that it is a papilloma and they want to remove it. I
Not having seen the wart, I can only give you general information. Papillomas are caused by an infection with papilloma virus. They are usually self-limiting and usually occur in younger dogs. Eventually the body will be able to fight it and the wart disappears. That said, if the wart is very big, starts to bleed, causes a problem for the dog, gets infected, it should be removed. Your dog may get more warts, if it is indeed papilloma-virus caused. So treatment is either: wait it out until it goes away, or remove it when it causes a problem or does not go away within a few months. Here is some information: https://www.vet.purdue.edu/vth/sacp/documents/CaninePapillomaVirus.pdf
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I believe my mixed bread 15month old 70pound dog has Oral Pappiloma. 2 Large and 3 smaller lumps. Been about 2-3 weeks since first appeared. More pink and 20% larger than 10-15 days ago. Do I need to go to a vet, medication? Money not a concern just
Yes, I would have Tux seen by a vet for this. They can confirm if he does have oral papillomas, and can discuss treatment options with you. Treatment is not usually indicated unless they become infected, as infected ones are painful to the dog. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Scooby has been having this little wart like thing for about a month now, from what I’ve been able to notice it doesn’t seem like it’s bothering him and he hasn’t passed it on to any other dog he’s come in contact with. Do I need medicine for it to g
It does look like a papilloma (wart). It should go away on its own within 3 months as the immune system learns and starts to fight it off. If it gets much bigger, starts bleeding, or doesn't go away, it should be evaluated by a vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 4 year old pug has a pink cauliflower type wart on her inner lip at the bottom am worried about it will it go away on its own please
Based on Dolly's age, this is likely what we call a viral papilloma caused by the papilloma virus. These regress on their own (typically within 1-5 months). These are contagious to other dogs so trying to limit exposure to other dogs is definitely something to consider. If a papilloma does not regress on its own or it becomes larger, there are various treatments that can be used such as oral Azithromycin (has been shown to reduce size or resolve papillomas within 10 days in some cases), freezing of the papillomas and surgical removal. For now, I would keep an eye on this and see if it regresses on its own. If at any time it increases in size or does not resolve, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Dolly so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my 1 year old beaglier appears to have oral papilloma I think. She developed a small growth on her lip. I attached a photo. Is this of concern or what should we do thanks
Indeed it looks like oral papilloma, fortunately this is a benign tumor that in most cases resolve without treatment within several months. There is a specific antibiotic called zithromax that is believed to speed up the healing process, you can ask your vet to prescribe it for her.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I recently noticed my dog has bumps around her mouth and I’m curious on to what they are, why they are there, and what I need to do for her.. I’ll attach photos below
These look like juvenile warts (oral papilloma). Such warts are caused by a virus, they are self-limiting and and will go away by themselves eventually within a few months. They will need veterinary attention if they increase significantly in size or amount or start bleeding, get infected, or cause other problems.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. My dog has a Canine Papillomavirus Wart on his back. His usual vets confirmed this 2 years ago and said he doesn't necessarily need surgery but it will prevent anything untoward but that if it didn't grow or change, it can be left. Well, as I sai
Hello. If things have remained quiet, then it is not necessary to remove the wart. This would only be necessary if he somehow injured it, or it does show evidence of change. The reason we do not recommend removing the benign ones is the underlying cause is a virus, & if you remove one wart, another can pop up later on. Not that removal will cause this, but just because the virus is there. So, if you wish to remove it because of cosmetic reasons, that is absolutely fine, otherwise, if it remains static, you can safely leave it be. Thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What are the causes and prevention of oral papillomas?. Stela was affected by it last year. And they suddenly disappeared, and i didnt know how/why.
Hello, this is associated with a papillomavirus that is also self limiting. That is, dogs can develop this and resolve on its own. The virus can be passed down from mom to offspring and the vaccine has been used to treat severe cases but does not produce immunity. The vaccine is usually considered in severe cases only where the dog may be unable to breathe. Therefore the only prevention is not to breed affected pets. Some may be carriers and not be affected by the disease. There are several treatment modalities for papillomas, including surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, or the vaccine. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We found an odd looking growth on my 3.5 month old dog’s left lower lip. Do you know what it is?
Thanka for the images. It could be a papilloma, but without a closer physical exam, it is difficult to determine definitively. Papillomas are caused by a virus. The good news is that they are typically benign, cannot be transmitted to humans and may resolve on their own in weeks to months. They can be transmitted to other dogs though so use separate bowls, toys, etc. if necessary. You can either monitor Eddy at home and see your veterinarian if the lump grows or changes rapidly or you can schedule an appointment sooner to have it looked at. If it isn't a papilloma, your veterinarian can perform diagnostics to identify the lump/mass. Treatment options can be discussed once results are returned.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello . What's this under my dog's teeth??? How can I do ?
It appears to be a papilloma, or wart. These are typically benign growths that resolve on their own in weeks to months. You would need to have Sharon physically examined by your veterinarian for confirmation. Surgical removal is an option, but does not guarantee another will not grow in the same spot or a different one.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
