Congenital skin papilloma in a foal – a case of a surgical CO2 laser treatment

Skin papilloma in humans and animals is a relatively common dermatological problem. The most common form of these changes are acquired papillomas, and while congenital ones are rare, they were most often described in humans and horses. The present article describes the first case in Poland of congenital single skin papilloma in a newborn thoroughbred foal, surgically removed using a CO2 laser. The treatment was carried out after 3 months from birth when the change began to progress. Removal was performed on the standing animal with pharmacological sedation. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The convalescence process proceeded without complications, with quick healing and no scar remaining.