Should I be concerned about a growth on the lip?

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

Hi all.  So while Angel was chewing on her bone I noticed that she has a growth in the corner of her lip.  It looks like a pink wart and it looks like a second one is growing about an inch or so away from it.  Should I be concerned?  Thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It definitely needs to be looked at by a vet. I wouldn't panic, but it does need to be seen. We've had quite a few doodles here with oral growths, and some of them have been cancerous. Not trying to scare you, it's most likely a type of wart, but even then it may need treatment, especially if it's something viral that's spreading.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Our doodle had a viral papilloma this past spring (she was 1 1/2 years old at that point). We took her to the vet as soon as we spotted it and were scheduled to have it excised and sent for biopsy a few days later. By the time her surgery appointment came, the lesion had shrunken to half of it's size and the vet elected to watch and wait to see if it resolved on its own. It did completely and hasn't returned--her immune system was strong enough to fight it off (fingers crossed). though we weren't 100% sure it was a wart, it most likely was. We kept her away from other dogs, out of the dog park, and daycare for at least 4-6 weeks. If you have other dogs, separate their food and water bowls as it is contagious. A vet appointment is also very important to R/O other lesions of other origin. hope this helps...also look under health and medical for canine papilloma or viral papilloma threads...as karen said, quite a few of us have had doods with lip lesions.

take care and keep us posted!

becky and savannah

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it does sound like a papilloma but a vet needs to see it. Although separate bowls are a good idea, if your dogs are like mine you can't keep them apart so easily and the virus can spread by direct contact.

[Robin, dalai, and Parker]

My Dalai also had a growth on her upper lip which the vet found during her check-up. She didn't seem too concerned because it had roots?? But I did continue to monitor it and it has completely disappeared. I don't know why it manifested itself but will keep a close eye on it. It came and went very fast.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Gracie had this. Hers was a viral papilloma. I treated with L-lysine supplements. The vet burned it off a week or 2 later and that was the end of the story. No repurcussions. Do have it checked out though to be sure. Do a search in medical issues for some discussions about this.

[laurie lehr]

It sounds like the same thing Jasper had . The vet took the warts off with a laser and it has not come back . I would have it looked at .

[diane silver]

I also think this is a viral papilloma. Emma had one on the inside of her cheek (she'll be two in June). Several of her doggie friends also had it this fall, so I was expecting it since it's contagious. When I first noticed it I started adding an immune booster to her food and now it's completely gone. They usually last between 4-6 weeks and disappear on their own, but if you're concerned, then she certainly should be seen by your vet.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

What kind of immune booster do you add to Emma's food? Is this just something you do every day regardless...sort of like a daily vitamin? I think I would like to start Gracie Doodle on something after reading all about this viral papilloma.

[Kevin Lackey]

My Brody seems to be the latest on this hit parade. His wart is huge, like the size of a Goya bean. It's about 2-3 weeks old. So are you guys saying that these things just shrivel up and go away on theirt own?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Any kind of growth needs to be seen by a vet. it may be a viral papilloma that goes away on its own, but it may be something else. And if it bleeds or gets irritated, it should be treated. Even if it doesn't, it can be treated and will go away sooner. There are other growths that can be cancerous that look similar.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

The money spent at a vet to make sure it is not serious is worth my sanity. Peri has a viral papalloma and I took her immediately to the vet. Even though it turned out to be just that, I can sleep at night knowing it is not cancer.
I am 100% with Karen on this.
And my vet told us ANY TIME we see a growth in the mouth to bring her in.