Dog warts are caused by a viral infection which creates a pale colored bump with the texture of cauliflower. Although most warts go away on their own, they do cause discomfort to the dog, especially if they’re in the mouth or eyelids. Warts can also turn into malignant cancer growths, so it’s best to keep an eye on warts and seek treatment for dog warts if you’re worried that they are irritating your dog. The following is a small list of remedies for dog warts. Some are homeopathic, some are more chemical, but they can all be effective for your dog and it’s matter of experiment a little to find one that you and your dog like.

Dog Warts – Solutions

Castor Oil for dog warts

Castor oil does seem to be the cure all for the homeopathic remedies. Castor oil, when applied directly to the wart, lessens its size and perhaps more importantly to the dog, decreases the itching. You can find castor oil at any drug store or some health food stores.

Vitamin E for dog warts

Break open a capsule of pure vitamin E supplement, such as you might buy at a pharmacy. Then apply the liquid directly onto the wart two to three times a day. You should see improvement within a few weeks. Vitamin E strengthens the skin as well, making it more resistant to other viral attacks.

Cryosurgery for dog warts

Cryosurgery isn’t as scary as it sounds. It involves freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen. It’s completely safe and highly effective. The process utilizes a local anesthetic so that the dog doesn’t have to go to sleep and a coolant, usually liquid nitrogen, administered so the wart freezes, dies, and goes away after a time. Cryosurgery has to be done by a vet and can be expensive. It can also be nerve wracking for the dog, but the procedure itself is easy and painless.

Interferon for dog warts

Interferon is a more extreme remedy for dog warts and should only be administered if the case is severe. Interferon is an oral remedy for warts which has antiviral properties and an immune stimulant. Interferon is very effective at getting rid of difficult warts, but it also carries a number of side effects including nausea and dizziness, which will be very uncomfortable for you dog. The drug has to also be administer orally which, as most dog owners can attest, is easier said than done.

The Best Treatment – Taking Good Care of your Dog!

The best way to deal with warts is to prevent them by taking good care of your dog’s skin and coat so that he can fight off the viruses which cause warts before they even enter his system. You can do this by making sure that your dog has a good diet of food with plenty of protein and vitamin E in it. You also want to make sure to brush your dog daily so that the oils in the dog’s coat are distributed evenly and dead skin flakes can be removed. Do not over bathe your dog as this will dry out your dog’s skin and make it more susceptible to viruses. Finally, always be vigilant to your dog’s health and keep an eye out for warts. Although most are benign and go away on their own, occasionally, they can turn into something much worse and the sooner you get to a vet, the better things will be for your pet.

Resources

Terrier Grooming Supplies

Dog Warts on PetWave

Ask a Vet about Dog Warts

Disclaimer

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a veterinarian. Terrier Grooming disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

With some proper care, you can prevent this mouth disease from getting to your beloved friend! Even though this disease is painful and difficult to treat, it is also fairly easy to prevent.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a mouth disease that is caused by bacteria that in hand causes pain and inflammation in a dog’s mouth. The bacteria gets in when particles from the dog’s food gets mixed with germs and saliva in the mouth. Plaque might get formed in the mouth, and later get hardened into a hard coating of tartar over your dog’s teeth. If you don’t have a routine to brush your dog’s teeth to get rid of the plaque, the tartar becomes a safe spot for bacteria to thrive in. This bacteria then leads to gum inflammation, and thus pain in your dog’s mouth.

Symptoms of Gingivitis

So, how to know if your dog has gingivitis? Some of the symptoms are:

• Your dog has a bad breath
• Your dog’s gums are inflamed, bleeding, red or swollen
• Your dog’s teeth are damaged or broken
• Your dog has a hard time eating hard foods or the dog is pawing at his mouth in discomfort
• Your dog has thick and sticky saliva
• Receding gums

If you suspect that your dog has gotten gingivitis – Always consult with a vet about it before starting any treatment of your own!

How to Prevent Gingivitis?

To prevent gingivitis from getting to dog’s, the best way is to brush their teeth regularly. Use a dog/pet toothpaste and a special dog toothbrush. If you do this regularly it will remove the plaque, which will in turn prevent the tartar to be building up and thus minimizing the risk of your dog getting gingivitis.

Be prepared though, because even though You know that brushing the teeth is good for your dog – Your Dog most likely don’t know anything about it! Your first task will be to get your dog used to having his teeth brushed. The best thing is if you start at an early age of your dog. To get your dog acclimated to the brushing, first begin with a finger brush and then move on to a pet toothbrush once he is used to the idea of having stuff in his mouth. Try to make it as fun and a good time as possible for your dog – One way of doing this is by having a good tasting toothpaste!

Another way of preventing dog gingivitis is to by giving supplements of vitamin C or/and use herbs like Echinacea or myrrh.

Gingivitis Conclusion

Gingivitis in dogs are painful, but it can be dealt with. The best thing, for both you and your dog, is if you try to preventing it altogether – Give your dog the care that he or she deserves, especially when it comes to the dental care!  By doing this you will have a dog that lives a healthier, happier and longer life!

To round things up, and we can’t stress this enough – Always consult with a vet if you are worried that your dog might have any kind of disease! It is one thing to read about any kind of treatment online. But it takes an examination from a professional to really give a diagnosis!

Regular Visits to the Veterinarian

A happy and healthy dog doesn’t just stop at the grooming though, they need regular visits to the veterinarian for shots, de-worming, flea medication if needed and any other medications they might need to keep them in top shape. Your vet may suggest a special diet, type of food or certain vitamins based on the condition and breed of your dog.

Don’t Over Feed Your Terrier

Keeping your dog in shape is another way to keep them healthy but before you take Bruiser the Yorkie on a 5 mile jog, look into how much exercise is right for your dog, just letting them run and run isn’t always the healthiest option. Larger dogs may need more exercise where a smaller dog could be worn out much more quickly. Avoiding over feeding your dog is another way you can help maintain their weight. Most food packages will state on the back how much food is appropriate for what size dog.

The Right Food for the Right Dog

When purchasing dog food be sure to get the kind suitable to your dog, puppy chow for small dogs, adult food for adult dogs, If your dog has a sensitive stomach and throws up a lot with certain foods like mine does, see what the pet store offers in the way of foods for that. Digestive problems? There’s a dog food for that too. Find out if your dog would be better off with hard food or soft, remembering that soft food can result in soft stools so bear that in mind when you’re out for a potty break.

Getting your dog accustomed to having his feet touched at an early age will be a great help when it comes time to trim his nails. You can do this by petting them, holding them, and gently tugging on them. This will allow your terrier to feel more secure and trusting when it comes time to cut his nails.

There are a couple methods you can use to trim your terrier’s nails, you can choose to use the traditional canine clipper method or the filing method.

The Clipper Method

If you choose to trim your terrier’s nails with clippers you will need a pair of canine nail clippers, a flashlight, a flat surface, about waist high and good lighting.

Avoid cutting the pink part of the nail called the quick which can cause pain and bleeding. Some dog’s have white nails making it easy to see the quick. If your dog’s nails are black, use a flashlight under the nail to help see where the quick ends, and start off by slowly trimming from the top. You should cut your dog’s nail from the underneath cutting toward the top, also you should be sure to make a smooth quick cut holding the clippers steady.

Even the most experienced clipper will occasionally cut too short and cause bleeding, if this happens – Hold a piece of tissue on your dog’s nail for a few seconds or until the bleeding has stopped. Most pet stores sell products that will also help stop the bleeding.

The Filing Method

If you choose to use the filing method, there are many products available now that allow you to file your dog’s nails down a little at a time. The benefits of this method are little to no pain, as there is no danger in cutting the quick. However this can also be more time consuming. I would only recommend using this method as regular maintenance and not if the nails have been allowed to grow very long. Some of these products such as the Pedi-Cure, Pedipaws and Pedizoom are available for sale online or at larger pet supply stores such as Pet Smart or Petco.

To maintain a reasonable and comfortable length you should cut your dog’s nails at least once a month.

Don’t be affraid to ask for help!

Last, but not least – Don’t be affraid to ask someone who has some experience with dog nail care for some guidance if you are unsure. Be it your vet, groomer or friends. It is always better for both you and your dog to ask the questions beforehand!