How Much Does Dog Wart Removal Cost?
Just like a human being, dogs are susceptible to warts as well.
Warts are small, cauliflower-shaped abnormal growths of cells that are usually seen on the outer surface of a dog’s skin, near the mouth, eyes or nose. In most cases, warts are not much of a health concern since they do not progress and usually do not cause pain or irritation. Therefore, warts are usually left alone and undisturbed.
However, if for some reason the veterinarian is compelled to or requests to remove the wart, there are a few options in order to do so. The only time this is done is in cases where the dog commonly licks, bite or scratches at the wart. This can result in the wart getting torn, causing it to bleed, which can lead to an infection or possible complications.
How much does dog wart removal cost?
On average, the price to remove a dog wart can be anywhere from $300 to as much as $800. This will depend on the vet performing the surgery, the complexity of the case, how the wart is going to be removed and the geographical location.
On OurDogsOnline.com, someone asked what a small wart would cost to have removed on their Bichon Frise. A few members answered and said it could be in the $400 to $500 range.
This St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, a reader asked the vet if $500 per wart was too much. In the doctor’s opinion, he said the quote was outrageous, and instead, you should consider painting the dog’s wart with organic cider vinegar twice per day to see noticeable results.
At JustAnswer.com, a reader said they were quoted $700 to have a wart removed on their dog.
The estimate above usually include the sedatives and/or anesthesia, the supplies and the vet’s professional fee. Most vets should give you an itemized bill before the procedure begins.
Dog wart removal overview
In most circumstances, a vet will only remove a wart if it has caused pain or discomfort for your dog. Before they consider removing the wart, they will first provide a thorough visual inspection to make sure the wart isn’t affecting the dog’s daily activity. To make sure the wart is benign, meaning it doesn’t have cancer, the vet will scrape a part of the wart for further lab testing. If the tests come back negative and it’s not affecting your dog, then the vet won’t treat the wart; however, in some cases, they may pop the wart, which will release the virus into the bloodstream to help speed up the dog’s immune process. During this time, it could take up to six months for your dog to fully heal. If the vet has found the wart is causing your dog pain, then they may either surgically remove it or freeze it off while the dog is under an anesthetic.
If the wart doesn’t respond well to other treatments, your vet may perform a laser ablation procedure, which will attack the wart at the root and is known to be the most powerful method of all procedures.
What are the extra costs?
If the wart was surgically removed. then your vet will prescribe some pain medication for the next week or so while your dog heals. This medication could also be prescribed if an infection was noted due to the wart. This medication could cost $50 to $100.
Even if your vet doesn’t remove the wart, they will still want you to pay close attention to the wart over the next few weeks and months. If you were to notice any signs of irritation or a change for the worse, then your vet will recommend scheduling a follow-up appointment.
Tips to know:
The most common type of wart is known as a canine wart or Canine Papilloma Virus. This type of wart is benign and can’t be transmitted to another animal or human. Another type, a skin wart, is commonly seen in the abdomen area and are slow growing. In some rare cases, these warts can develop into cancer.
Canine warts are caused by a viral infection when they communicate with other dogs. This wart, when transmitted, is via direct contact or by sharing common items such as a water bowl, toy or grooming tool.
In ever in doubt, consult with your veterinarian to have them sample the wart to make sure it isn’t cancerous.
How can I save money?
Most vets will vary when it comes to pricing. While some will give you quotes over the phone, some may have their rates directly on their website. Even if you are happy with a particular vet, it does not hurt to shop around.
Consider applying crushed Vitamin E capsules on the wart directly. Do this for a few weeks and see if there is any improvement. Thuja, castor oil, apple cider vinegar an d Psorinoheel has said to be a natural supplement that can help as well. Refer to this Wikihow article to see the many ways you can treat a dog wart at home.
There are some wart removal options that can be used on humans that could also be used on dogs. These do not always work, but it may be worth a shot. Also, check the particular brand to make sure that it is safe for use on dogs.
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Average Reported Cost: $836.5
How much did you spend?
- Heidi (san diego, California) paid $673 and said:
My 14 month old dog has a 1/3 inch wart by her eye and when shaved to remove it, they found 10 others.
Was it worth it? Yes
- Ruth King (Plainwell, Michigan) paid $1000 and said:
have been quoted $1,000 but cannot do that.
Was it worth it? Yes
