Papillomas is a fancy term for warts. Warts can be singular, or there can be multiple—sometimes to the point that an entire region of the body is impacted. Warts grow on the skin, and while they generally aren’t painful, they can be visually quite striking.
In cats, many warts are caused by a subset of viruses that cause excessive skin growth. It was only relatively recently that such viruses were discovered and linked with these growths, so a lot of information has yet to be fully determined about papillomas in cats.
Generally, symptoms are pretty straightforward: skin growths that look warty! Most cats with papillomas generally feel ok, and don’t show other typical clinical signs of illness, such as weight loss, gastrointestinal upset, changes in behavior, or poor haircoats. The good news is that papillomas aren’t considered to be transmissible to other cats—or at least they haven’t shown to be, yet.
Treatment often involves taking a wait-and-see approach, since many warts usually go away on their own. Vaccines don’t yet exist for the various wart causing viruses in cats (unlike similar vaccines in people that help protect from papillomavirus-induced cervical cancers). Read on to learn more about papillomas in cats—the causes, the care, and the treatment.
What Causes Papillomas in Cats?
Warts, or papillomas, are generally thought of as benign or non-cancerous skin growths. They can arise anywhere on the body, and be visually striking when they occur in large numbers. When they do occur in large numbers, it is generally referred to as papillomatosis.
Many warts in cats are believed to be caused by a virus. The virus infects the deeper layers of the skin, and causes spots of increased production of skin cells, which leads to the formation of papillomas. There is currently no vaccine to prevent papillomas from forming in cats.
Papillomas can form for weeks or longer after the initial infection with the virus occurs, because it takes that long for the virus to actually work its way to the upper layers of the skin, producing the warty growths. If a cat infected with papillomavirus is exposed to other factors that might aid the virus in reproducing, in rare cases, the virus can actually become cancerous. With these cats, instead of producing benign papillomas, it can cover large regions of the skin, sometimes producing ulcers and causing local irritation. In even rarer instances, it can then spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body, such as the lung.
Image Credit: Natata, Shutterstock
Where Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of papillomas in cats are usually fairly straightforward: growths on the skin! Most cats seem to feel fairly well otherwise. Though, in very rare instances, these growths may become cancerous—and, even more rarely, may spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms can include:
Warts or skin growths
Scabbing, particularly of the face, head, or neck
Growths in the mouth
Lethargy or acting dull
Hiding or other changes in behavior
Weight loss
Many times, a cat or kitten with papillomas will show no signs of feeling unwell. They will simply have growths on their skin. Generally, these do not present an emergency, and therefore, while contacting your vet is always advised to alert them to what you are seeing (a photo is even better!), you can often monitor these cats at home.
How to Care for a Cat with Papillomas
Oftentimes, cats with papillomas actually need little to no care—which is fantastic! Just like in people, many of these skin growths, given time, will go away on their own through a process called “regression”.
Therefore, you might care for a cat with papillomas by taking a photo of the growth(s) when you first notice them. This allows you to compare whether the papillomas are getting bigger, smaller, or staying the same. It helps to have a size reference in your photo—for example, a ruler, or a coin placed next to the growth. This allows you to have a better comparison of the size of the growth, as well as any changes occurring.
If the growth doesn’t go away after a few weeks, then it is time for your cat to see your vet—sooner is better if you have any pressing concerns, such as bleeding or irritation at the site of the growth.
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
What Are the Treatment Options?
Treatment options can vary for cats with papillomas. As mentioned previously, sometimes it is a case of “wait and see”, since many will go away on their own without actual treatment. However, if this doesn’t happen, then your vet might recommend other treatment options, which can include: freezing, surgical removal, or topical medications.
Treatment is not always as effective as we may hope, since papillomas caused by a virus can be resistant to treatment. And for cats that develop advanced forms of papilloma, that are more aggressive and cancerous, treatment can be very difficult, if not impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I suspect my cat might have papillomas?
If you suspect your cat might have papillomas, start by taking a photo and sharing it with your veterinarian. Many times, they can provide initial guidance on skin concerns through a photo, which would include telling you how soon your cat needs to be seen, and what to expect at that visit. Sometimes, they might have you monitor the growth for a while at home, if your cat otherwise seems well.
Image Credit: Pressmaster, Shutterstock
Are feline papillomas contagious?
Potentially, but this has not yet been documented from cat to cat. They are considered unlikely to spread to humans, however.
What can look similar to papillomas in cats?
Normal skin growths, such as nipples in male and female cats, might sometimes look a bit like a wart. Hair follicles can also become blocked, in a process known as a sebaceous gland adenoma. These, too, can look especially warty! Skin tags can be present from birth, and also look a lot like papillomas.
Fatty lumps aren’t as common in cats as they are in dogs, but they might also look a bit like a papilloma. Other skin cancers that are a bit more serious include mast cell tumors, which might look like a papilloma early on. If you notice any odd changes on your cat’s skin, and you aren’t sure of the cause, definitely speak with your vet about your concerns.
Image Credit: Anita Warren-Hampson, Shutterstock
Prevention
Prevention of papillomas in cats isn’t quite possible, at present. Human medicine has developed vaccines to the viruses found in humans that cause similar issues, but this has not yet translated into feline medicine. However, because the condition is relatively rare, it is not a large concern. Therefore, a preventative option isn’t likely any time in the near future.
Conclusion
Papillomas in cats is an uncommon disease. Because it is not considered to be highly contagious, and because the disease is often quite subtle and not life-threatening, it will likely remain off many cat owners’ radar. Most people will never see a papilloma in a cat.
Treatment can be difficult, but many papillomas will go away without requiring treatment. If you notice signs that the papillomas are not going away, however, it is time to consider what treatment options are available. The good news is that papillomas generally aren’t emergencies, but they do require close observation once noticed. And, it never hurts to include some photos and start a conversation with your vet about what you’ve found!
Dr. Lauren has worked in all aspects of the veterinary field throughout her career and therefore she has a deep understanding of animals. Since graduating from veterinary school, Lauren has worked in multiple countries, fostered many animals, and volunteered her time to help pets and vets alike.
