Does vaccinating my dog or cat cause warts?
No. Warts or papillomas are benign tumors that are caused by specie specific papilloma viruses.
These DNA viruses cause chromosomal mutations within the skin (epithelial cells) that express themselves as the ugly lumpy bumps that we see growing almost any place on our pets. The wart viruses are spread by direct and indirect contact and can take 1-2 months to show up after exposure.Warts often spontaneously regress after 4-12 months especially in younger animals.
Warts are usually seen in younger animals with developing immune systems, older animals with weakening immune systems, and in patients that may have a weakened immune system due to other diseases or in those taking immunosuppressive medications.
