Papilloma Virus.

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for your question. It sounds like your vet is doing all of the same things I would do in a situation like this.

I have found that for most dogs, a 10 day course of azithromycin completely clears up the warts. However, I recently had a dog that was similar to Teskey in that the warts didn't clear up till about a week after the antibiotics were done.

(By the way, just for interests' sake, if you were wondering why azithromycin works for papilloma virus, the thought is that the virus needs a particular type of bacteria in order to thrive. When the antibiotic kills the bacteria then the virus can't function properly and the body is able to take care of the warts.)

What you are describing with the discoloration and shrinking is exactly how they go away. Sometimes they go away so quickly that you don't notice that phase. However, I have had some cases where they do exactly what you have described.

I consider these dogs contagious as long as they still have warts. Once they are totally gone then he is no longer contagious. I wouldn't worry about throwing out his toys. The virus is spread in wet saliva. Once it has dried on a toy it really shouldn't be infective.

Hope all is better soon!

Dr. Marie


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Dr. Marie replied:

One of the problems with using azithromycin for papilloma warts is that it's experimental so we don't know what to expect. In my experience one course of treatment almost always works. Your vet may decide to try another course as there is likely no harm in doing so.

Very frustrating!