Our cats can also have warts, they are generally benign skin growths related to the feline papillomavirus, specific to this species, but in some cases they can develop malignant tumors such as carcinomas. This most often occurs in cats whose immune system is compromised, such as cats that are elderly, very sick, or immunocompromised.
Normally, these lesions disappear by themselves when the cat's immune system controls the virus and they do not produce symptoms. No treatment is needed, except when they lead to malignant tumors that need appropriate therapy. Continue reading this article on our site to learn more about warts in cats, their types, their causes and treatments.
What are warts on cats?
As cat keepers, we may sometimes wonder "can cats get warts?" And the answer is yes. Warts are some cutaneous lesions that consist of protuberances that stand out on the skin and that have different consistencies and shapes, although they are usually somewhat spherical and flattened in these animals and they tend to appear several at once on the skin with different shapes and consistency.
The vast majority of warts that cats develop are caused by the feline papillomavirus (feline papillomavirus, PVF), which was sequenced in 2002. However, there are many other viruses that can cause warts in cats.
Normally warts are benign and will not cause a problem or bother the cat. In addition, they usually disappear on their own and do not spread to other body locations. In older, sick and immunosuppressed cats they are more frequent and can evolve into a malignant tumor such as squamous cell carcinoma or not disappear.
Causes of warts in cats
As we have mentioned, the main cause of warts in cats is feline papillomavirusThis virus is transmitted directly through contact with an infected cat, through areas of the skin that are injured, moist or open, such as stings, burns, wounds, scratches or bites deep; It can also be spread through an infected cat's toys, food, and water. There are many cats that carry this virus and do not show any symptoms of illness, but are potential transmitters of it.
How does papillomavirus work in cats?
The cells that become infected through abrasions or skin lesions are, initially, the basal cells of the stratum germinativum, which produces hyperplasia and a delay in the maturation of those of the stratum spinosum and granulosum, where virus protein synthesis takes place until it infects the stratified squamous epithelium of the skin. When the virus is in the cat's body, it begins to attack cells, altering their normal functioning, causing them to divide more frequently and, in turn, it also turns on genes that promote the growth of cancer cells and other cells, as well as turns off genes that control or prevent the spread of these cells. For this reason, the virus can trigger malignant tumors in some cats, especially those whose immune response is compromised, such as older, sick and immunosuppressed cats.
Papillomas are small, non-enveloped viruses that belong to the Papillomaviridae family and have been completely sequenced 4 feline papillomaviruses specific for the feline species.
Types of warts in cats
Many cats with papillomavirus have a strong immune system that limits the hyperplastic actions produced by the virus on skin cells, but in some cats the immunity is not sufficient and can cause four types of symptoms caused by papillomavirus in cats:
- Oral warts: These lesions in the mouth of cats are caused by feline papillomavirus type 1 and are oftenin the form of a bunch of grapes , like small masses that are located on the ventral surface of the tongue (the underside of the tongue). These warts do not usually progress to severe clinical forms.
- Warts in the form of viral plaques: occur in kittens a few days old when infected by their mothers. Lesions occur on the head and neck and plaques are hairless skin elevations less than 1 cm in diameter. They are produced by the feline feline papillomavirus type 2.
- Bowenoid Carcinoma: Also caused by papillomavirus type 2, it produces larger lesions, covered with thick, ulcerated scales. Both in this and in the previous one, spontaneous remission may occur or the lesions may stabilize.
- Warts that lead to squamous cell carcinoma: more common in cats of the Sphynx or Devon Rex breeds, also related to papillomavirus type 2 and in areas with little protection against ultraviolet radiation, such as the face and ears It is a malignant tumor that spreads locally to these areas, where it goes turning the skin red, forms ulcers and scabs that can bleed. In some cats this tumor can metastasize to lymph nodes or the lungs. In this other article we talk about squamous cell carcinoma in cats.
In addition to feline papillomavirus, bovine type 14 causes feline sarcoid, fibropapillomas that appear as firm, non-ulcerated masses on the area of the belfos or the subnasal groove. These lesions tend to re-emerge after removal and produce local infiltration.
Treatments for warts in cats
Once the lesion has been located in the cat, the diagnosis must be confirmed by taking a sample (biopsy) and carrying out diagnostic tests such as immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to observe viral particles in the keratinocytes.
Papilloma in cats does not require treatment The most common thing is that cats eliminate warts naturally when their immune system is able to control the virus that causes them, in this way, in these cases, treatment or removal is not necessary.
In other cases, c when these lesions do not disappear on their own in about two months or we are dealing with a very old cat, immunosuppressed or very ill, it might be considered surgical removal to prevent them from developing into more serious lesions such as carcinoma or Bowenoid carcinoma. It is also the treatment of choice for lesions such as viral plaques or Bowenoid carcinoma. In some cases warts can also be removed by cryosurgery
When surgery is not an option if cats are very frail, imiquimod therapy can be tried, but this drug would not control cases of feline sarcoid, or interferon to modulate the immune response.
Home remedies for warts in cats
There are no home remedies for warts in cats. Given the appearance of any, given the seriousness that in some cases they can have, you should go to the veterinary center so that the professionals can guide you on the best therapeutic plan for your little feline.
