Composition for conferring protection against Tursiops truncatus papillomavirus (TtPV) infection in a subject includes a virus-like particle assembled from at least one type of TtPV L1 protein. Methods for protecting a subject against TtPV infection include administering to the subject an immunogenic composition including a virus-like particle assembled from at least one type of TtPV L1 protein. Methods for diagnosing TtPV infection in a subject include providing a virus-like particle assembled from at least one TtPV L1 protein; contacting the virus-like particle with serum obtained from the subject; and identifying the subject as having TtPV infection if a TtPV antibody capable of binding the virus-like particle is detected in the serum.