Viral papillomas in dogs are similar to warts, though they are caused by a different virus than human warts. They are benign skin tumors caused by the canine oral papillomavirus and appearing as small round growths often with a rough surface. These growths most commonly occur on the lips and muzzle though they can also occur, less frequently, on the eyelids, the surface of the eye, and between the toes. Papillomas also occur most frequently in groups and in young dogs less than two years of age.

Papillomas are acquired through contact with the papillomas of another infected dog. As such, they are contagious among dogs, though they are not contagious to humans or other pets. After contact, there is typically a one to two month incubation period. Most papillomas clear up on their own and do not require treatment. It typically takes between one and five months for oral growths to clear up, while ocular growths tend to take longer. In addition, some papillomas stay permanently. Antibiotics may be prescribed for oral papillomas which have become infected with bacteria of the mouth. In cases where there are a large number of growths that interfere with usual activities, such as eating, the growth may be frozen off or surgically removed by your veterinarian.