Canine Oral Papillomas

[chelynnah]

This is from a good whippet friend of mine in the US. I don't think we in the UK have this problem at the moment but I figure it's always safe to give a heads up

Wendy

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*Permission granted to crosspost*

Please include this link so the photographs can be viewed

http://groups.msn.com/wwarchives/canineoralpapillomas.msnw

Please check out the following links concerning canine oral papillomas (especially if you are not familiar with the virus) and then read my comments below:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canin...papillomas.html

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.js...tm/bc/24008.htm

http://www.provet.co.uk/infectiousdiseases/5a6cf97.htm

I work for a wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Sue, who seems to have a world of knowledge at her fingertips... and if she doesn't know the answer to a problem, she'll do her best to FIND the answer!

Just this year Dr. Sue has seen more cases of oral papilloma virus than she has seen in her sixteen years of practice. Many of the infected dogs regularly visit the local dog park, but the other half have one thing in common... dog shows! Most of the cases have been mild (less than ten warts) and surgical removal of the warts appears curative. Notice I said "surgical removal". Yes, Dr. Sue believes that anything that is highly contagious and is easily removable... should be removed!!! Only once did surgical removal not appear curative, though it may have been due to the mass numbers of papillomas present and the inability to remove them all at one time.

So why am I spending the time to write this? Because the papillomas talked about in the above listed websites do NOT "act" like the papillomas that Dr. Sue and I have been seeing locally. The recent outbreak in papillomas has been overwhelming and Dr. Sue does not have the answers at her fingertips.... and neither do many of the veterinary specialists she has contacted. The warts seem to pop up overnight and multiply fast. Contrary to popular belief, older dogs seem to be contracting the virus, too. As we have seen, the warts can easily become infected and hinder the dog's health. Swallowing and breathing are difficult in extreme cases and may even lead to death. Yes, I said death.

This is my plea to everyone who takes their whippets to dog parks, dog shows, racing events, lure coursing events, etc... PLEASE be aware that your whippets are at RISK! The oral papilloma virus can live in the environment and is easily transmitted through water bowls, toys, saliva AND through the judges fingers at dog shows! There is NO harm in asking a judge to show your own dog's bite!!! This "outbreak" is certainly not limited to the Indianapolis area as I have been in contact with others across the U.S. and Canada who have dealt with the virus.

This photo says it all...



Here is the simple part: You can help STOP the spread of the virus by routinely checking your whippet's oral cavity. Papillomas love to form on the gums and inside the cheeks first. If you suspect your dog has the oral papilloma virus, see your vet soon. Do not expose your dog to others as the virus is HIGHLY contagious. Please do not try to "wait out" the virus... the results may be devastating. On the other hand, if your dog has the virus do not feel at fault! This virus is spreading like wildfire and can be easily treated when caught in time. I have a feeling the "show dog" world has only seen the tip of the iceberg.

If you have any questions, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me. I am not an expert, but I have spent endless hours researching the virus.

Annie

In loving memory of

Lil Syd

WildAbout Life's Lil Miracle

Sept 30th, 2004 to June 10th, 2005

 

[Juley]

Crikey, that looks horrible.

 

[~Helen~]

:unsure: my goodness, that is a vile disease!

That poor little pup at the bottom So young.

 

[Lanakeshena]

thats awful, poor little pup on the bottom.

I dont know why its not standard practice anyway that the handler shows their dogs teeth to the judge, i would much rather show the teeth myself, All junior handlers show the judge their dogs teeth, the judge never does it, it makes much sense to me.

thanks for telling us about it.

sunny

 

[chelynnah]

It was really sad. The person that wrote that is a whippet friend of mine in the States. The pup was one she bred and co-owned. He had survived amazing odds during the birth (the uterus ruptured, but all 4 pups and mom survived), and had become very special to her. He was living with the other co-owner. The photograph of the mouth overrun with the papillomas is actually of him and the stage it got to with him

It was an EXTREMELY heart-breaking situation.

Wendy

 

[Windsdream]

Poor little babie.

That looks a disgusting disease.