Juvenile warts

[cadeby]

Finn has developed a spectacular case of juvenile warts, slightly spoiling his handsome looks
They are caused by a papiloma virus. Foals and youngstock are susceptible to them because they don't have the antibodies in their immune system to resist the virus, unlike older horses. For that reason some people call them "milk warts".

They are harmless and should all fall off leaving no marks over the next few months.

This is them when they first appeared about 2 months ago :



A slightly more flattering picture :



...and this is them now, taken 2 weeks ago just before weaning. Our vet reckons they are now at their peak and should start to shed soon. He also says they're not itchy but Finn loves having them tickled



Martin has renamed him Wart Boy but it hasn't stopped him kissing him

[wdf]

Oh I remember Docs well, I was horrified when I saw him that morning He'd have been 3yrs and caught them off a yearling over the fence from another yard . . . . . I was NOT a happy bunny & didn't show that summer as he's were FAR far worse than your pics. Thankfully all went within a few months and as you say, no signs to be seen

[jap]

the worse case I have seen was ted, the racehorse.he was completely covered on his face, they had to stop backing him as his bit was rubbing them

[blackjack]

Thor had warts too when he was a baby, looked much like Finn's ones. They went of their own accord eventually and left no marks behind. He is one VERY handsome man though, warts and all!

[blackjack]

Thor had warts too when he was a baby, looked much like Finn's ones. They went of their own accord eventually and left no marks behind. He is one VERY handsome man though, warts and all!

[shell]

Aww bless him, regardless of the warts hasn't he grown well he's really chunking up handsome boy!!!

[SuzieP]

Gorgeous boy! I'd kiss him too....but maybe not on his warty nose LOL

Thanks for posting, Helen - I'm sure it'll reassure people who are looking for info on baby warts.

[valerie n scout]

oh poor little soul x

[Deleted]

all my horses got them too, they were a little older though. and no, they didn't leave an marks.

[carolinec]

Oooo I'm itching just looking at them!
He's still a very handsome lad though......

[cadeby]

How long did they take to fall off your ponies? Finn is the first of our Dales babies to develop warts so it's new territory for us.

Finn has decided that he doesn't like them being tickled any more and they feel a bit looser to me. I'm wondering if they're going to start to shed. Hope so

[Deleted]

mmmmm.. you say Fins had them for two months now. I don't think mine had them longer than that; with most of them it was gone by now. It is quite contagous. my gelding who was five at the time brought it home from a differant barn, and within a couple of weeks they all had it.

[Deleted]

the good thing is that they can only get them once-- that's enough though--- LOL