by Sam Mazzotta
Dear Paws4Pets: I have a 1-year-old golden retriever, “Hal,” and he has contracted puppy warts. I have been told there is no treatment for this, and the only recommendations I’ve received are to give him multivitamins and an occasional treat with honey on it. I’m hoping this will clear up in the next few weeks, as I usually put him in doggy day care two or three days a week, and they won’t allow him as this is extremely contagious. Do you have any tips on any other form of treatment that would clear this up?
— Sue, via e-mail
DEAR SUE: Unfortunately, because puppy warts are caused by a virus, there is no treatment that will cure Hal quickly. The infection has to clear up on its own. Multivitamins will help keep Hal physically strong so that his immune system keeps working to get rid of the virus, but other than that, time is the only cure.
Puppy warts normally clear up after about 45 days. Be sure to just let them go away on their own, and don’t try to remove them yourself.
It is inconvenient for your puppy to be banished from day care during this period, but hang in there. If you’re unable to stay with Hal all day or check in on him during your workday, ask a friend to stop in and spend some time with him so he’s not by himself in the house all day.
If there’s one bright spot of news, it’s this: Once Hal recovers from puppy warts, he won’t catch them again.
Question about your pet? Contact Sam at ask@pawscorner.com
