Oozing Dog Wart Won’t Heal

Hi Alan,
The wart on Max’s forehead appears to be benign, but it looks ulcerated with possible secondary infection. It may be causing him some irritation, and that is when he scratches it. You mentioned he also had a heart condition. Since he is a cocker spaniel, I wonder if he is also prone to ear infections or skin allergies, or any other chronic illness?

A conventional approach might be to use a local block and remove the ‘wart’. This would allow it to be analyzed and biopsied to check for malignancy. Although looking at the photo, it does not appear to be a malignant tumor.

A holistic veterinarian would want to check out Max’s entire body. Not just to address the ‘wart’ but to offer nutritional improvements, to boost his immune system, help his heart, improve his skin, and consider a homeopathic remedy that would take into account his entire ‘constitution’. Also to caution against any more vaccinations for Max. In this way, he would become healthier, possibly shrinking the wart, but definitely decreasing/eliminating the secondary infection.

Check our page on appropriate dog food diets. It would be best to remove him from dry food, and gradually switch him to canned and/or a raw dog food diet.

A holistic veterinarian would be able to give you more specific advice when you take Max in for an appointment.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi Alan, I was wondering what you do to keep the wart clean. My dog has the same type thing oh his head and I can’t get it removed because he is 15 with a bad heart murmer. I clean it every few days. Did you get any suggestions on how to solve this problem besides getting it removed (which is not an option for me)? Thanks, Mindy

Thanks for writing. I work hard with Max and his warts! The biggest thing I do is GENTLY clean the wart each day with warm water, cleaning off any debris that may be around there, and then I have found that Neosporin + pain relief IS making a BIG difference!

BE PATIENT with your dog and try doing it after he’s been fed, or getting ready to nap. The Neosporin stings for a minute or two (my guess by Max’s reaction to wanting to rub it off), but after 5 minutes of petting him, holding him, and keeping his paw off the wart, he calms right down.

The Neosporin has made a BIG difference, MOST of the infection part seems to be gone, the size of the wart has come down and it doesn’t bleed like it used to nor does he worry at it except for the few minutes after the treatment. So, that seems to be helping. I’m not sure what else to do, but it sure looks better.

He has tons of warts all over and this is by far the worse one, and now I don’t feel that it is as bad as it was a month ago! Hope this help, let me know.

Alan

Hi Alan,
Using Neosporin ointment on Max’s warts is not a holistic approach. In fact, you can research . This is a homeopathic remedy specifically for warts.

But the best option for Max would be to seek out the help of a holistic veterinarian. In this way, you will be able to do more than ‘just’ apply an ointment, (whether homeopathic or conventional), which is merely a surface treatment. The goal is to find the constitutional remedy that will treat his whole body, his heart, ears, all of the warts at the same time.

Also, providing him with a healthy diet, no more vaccinations, and adding supplements for his heart, skin, and haircoat, will be good too. (see my first post.)

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Dr. Tillman:

Thanks for your reply.

Following your advice I did see a holistic vet, who prescribed a series of natural products for Max. After 10 days of using these products, a lot of pain by Max, and a continued infection in the wart on his face, the infection portion of the wart would not go away and was actually getting worse.

I was only able to get the infection under control after using an OTC anti-biotic ointment with pain reliever. Since using it, Max has stopped clawing at the wart, it has stopped bleeding, and the infection appears to have gone away.

I am now switching back to a more holistic approach for the treatment of his heart and warts, but as a realist, it seems there are times that conventional medicine must be considered, if but for only relieving the pain Max was in.

I spent 6 months earlier this year holistically treating my “baby” Shadow for cancer and lost that battle; after his pain, I don’t want to see Max in pain! I know holistic medicine works, but according to my mother-in-law, a successful holistic doctor, it is not appropriate 100% of the time.

Hi Alan,
Thank you for filling me in on the rest of the story! Yes, you are correct, the medical oath for doctors AND veterinarians (conventional or holistic), is “Above all else, DO NO HARM”, and of course, do not allow your patient to suffer.

In Max’s case, in seems like you have found the path that will relieve his suffering, and make him more comfortable. I applaud your efforts in working hard for all of your pets, in seeking out holistic help, and conventional, when needed.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
– Dog Warts,
– Dog Skin Conditions,
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section

My 16yo Jack Russell terrier has a number of these warts, which she mostly keeps clean herself and are not a problem.
However, the largest is on her shoulder where she can’t reach it, and it does ooze, scab over and bleed (and it smells horrible!). I wash it periodically with baby wash, then dry it gently and apply collasate,(a postoperative collagen dressing provided by my veterinarian), which seems to seal it and keep it from oozing for up to 2 weeks.

It’s good to hear that you are making progress in your Jack Russel’s wart battle. I wish I could upload a more recent picture of Max, and you wouldn’t believe your eyes. The wart has completely healed, and remains only as three small “bumps” clustered together. I have had no oozing, etc., in months and Maxs’ other warts are beginning to heal completely as well. In only 6 months he has gone from a constant scratcher and worrier to a calm and relaxed non-scratching dog. I hope that you too can help your dog in overcoming this condition.

my apologies to Dr. Tillman as this reply doesn’t have anything to do with holistic medicine. But I am so happy to have found the thread.

Our little Shih Tzu is going to be 17 years-old next week. Her body is crumbling around her indomitable spirit. I put drops in both eyes 3 times a day, she is quite blind and deaf but manages very well.

Her back legs are losing strength and she sways and stumbles sometimes but she goes up and down our stairs at least 7 times each day and we go for a daily walk. Not far…but when she’s had enough–she turns around and heads home.

I know she is happy..her tail is up and wags when she walks and she always shows up every night at dinnertime to “help” (…I indulge with meat and veggies quite often…I just want her to be happy and healthy as possible.) …but I digress, so back to Alan.

“Chance” has many papillomas on her body..more all the time. I’ve begun grooming her myself as I’m frightened to take her to the groomer anymore. She’s very patient and lets me trim her whenever I want. But a few of her growths have been oozing for the past few months and she was becoming er, difficult to be in the same room with.

Thanks to Alan’s post….I’ve been paying far more attention to trimming around her growths really well and applying clear ointment to her larger warts that seep (and stink…oh my!) I’m sure the smell never bothered her, but at any rate, she’s not at all stinky anymore. The oozing has stopped and her warts look much much better. I know it’s not the perfect solution…but at her age…isn’t it mostly about love, companionship and comfort? (p.s.—I attribute her amazing health and longevity to having fed her excellent dog food for all of her life)

Hi Alan,
Thank you for updating us on your dog, Max. From your first photo in 12/10, of the large oozing wart on his forehead, he was 12 years old. That makes him 14 years old now!! And with your perseverance and tender loving care in finding the best combination of alternative and ‘traditional’ medicine to treat him, he is no longer scratching continuously, and his warts have healed!! Good for you for a job well done!

To Anonymous,
Thank you for your comments on your own dog, Chance. A 17 year old Shih Tzu with numerous infected papillomas. You have also done a great job with Chance, using good nutrition as a base and letting the body take over the healing process. I am glad you found our site to give you a little guidance!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Others seem to have success using Vitamin C (up to 3 grams daily). Vitamin C as sodium ascorbate tastes like mild salt the the dogs cant tell when mixed with a favorite food. It works on human viruses. Why wouldn’t it work on older dogs whose immune system is beginning to compromise? Dogs, as most mammals produce their own vitamin C to prevent and cure viruses which is why they rarely get sick throughout their lives. I am trying it with my dog now.

For a cluster wart that won’t heal I have had success on my older dogs with using apple cider vinegar, I use the Bragg brand, and apply with a qutip 2X daily for as long as it takes to get it to heal. Vets are “trained” to cut or medicate that is all they can offer if they went to through a Western med program. Go to them for broken bones or extreme emergencies, their philosophy and training is only good for that. My sheltie is 17, my vet think she is a marvel, no she just is cared for alternatively as I have no use for surgery or prescription drugs which create MORE problems in most cases. Here is the deal, all the dogs in my life have died of OLD age, surpassing their life expectancies, because they were fed quality food prepared at home. I think dog food is TRASH, you have NO clue what they are adding, or the origin of ingredients, just LOOK at the ailments and problems in recent years with dogs and their health. My family treated dogs herbally if there were issues, and there weren’t many, they are what they eat. Feed them well, add love and if there is a concern, research herbal or other alternative methods and your dog or any pet will do WAY better. My philosophy is NO one is going to “practice” medicine on me or anything I love, and make me pay lots for their “education”.

January 28, 2014

Hi Tess,
Well spoken! You are practicing what I am preaching, good for you!

And throw in over-vaccination with poor quality food, surgical intervention for problems that can be treated NON-surgically, and you have dogs with shortened lives, that are sick with auto-immune diseases, and other chronic illnesses.

Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the ‘click here to add your own comments’ link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for your question. I’m happy to help, but we only accept new questions from subscribers (the original question above was from a subscriber).
I’ll then get back to you right away at the bottom of your newly created web page.
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman