Page 925 - Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine

83 Viral Papillomatosis 863

confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for PV Removal of premalignant and malignant lesions like
VetBooks.ir group‐specific antigens, in situ hybridization for PV BISCs and SCCs should include histologically confirmed
normal tissue margins on all borders.
nucleic acid detection, or electron microscopy to visual­
ize viral particles. Polymerase chain reaction is a highly
sensitive and rapid method for detection of PV DNA in
biopsy specimens, but interpretation is difficult because Prevention
PV DNA is frequently amplified out of normal canine
and feline skin. Currently, there are no commercial vaccines available for
canine and feline papillomatosis. Because most PV infec­
tions are subclinical or produce benign self‐limiting
Therapy and Prognosis lesions, immunization has not been a priority. The diver­
sity of PVs makes it difficult to stimulate protective
Spontaneous regression of many nonmalignant PV‐ immunity against this family of viruses. If specific types
associated lesions makes treatment unnecessary in of canine and feline PVs are demonstrated to be associ­
most cases. Immunosuppressive drugs like glucocorti­ ated with the development of SCC, then targeting those
coids and ciclosporin should be avoided, if possible, in viruses with vaccines would make sense. The use of vac­
infected animals. Provision of a high‐quality diet and cines against some types of human PVs associated with
management of stress may help support an animal’s genital cancer suggests that vaccination could be effec­
immune response to the virus. Interferons and other tive against PVs in other species also.
immunomodulators have been tried in severe cases of
papillomatosis, but solid evidence of their efficacy is
not yet available. Azithromycin (10 mg/kg once daily Public Health Implications
for 10 days) was used in one small trial to treat canine
oral and cutaneous warts with some apparent efficacy. Canine and feline papillomaviruses have not been dem­
The mechanism of action is unclear but it may be onstrated to be infectious to humans. However, human
associated with immunomodulatory properties of the PV‐9 was amplified from a cutaneous papilloma in a cat,
drug. and bovine PV causes equine (and possibly feline) sar­
Surgical removal or cryotherapy may be effective if few coids, proving that cross‐species infection can occur
lesions are present although new lesions may develop. under some circumstances.

Further Reading

Egberink H, Thiry E, Möstl K, et al. Feline viral Nagata M, Rosenkrantz W. Cutaneous viral dermatoses in
papillomatosis: ABCD guidelines on prevention and dogs and cats. Compend Contin Educ Vet 2013; 35:
management. J Feline Med Surg 2013; 15: 560–2. E1–E10.
Lange CE, Favrot C. Canine papillomatosis. Vet Clin North Thaiwong T, Sledge DG, Wise AG, et al. Malignant
Am Small Anim Pract 2011; 41: 1183–95. transformation of canine oral papillomavirus (CPV1)‐
Munday JS. Papillomaviruses in felids. Vet J 2014; 199: 340–7. associated papillomas in dogs: an emerging concern?
Munday JS, Thomson NA, Luff JA. Papillomavirus in dogs Papillomavirus Res 2018; 6: 83–9.
and cats. Vet J 2017; 225: 23–31.