Prostate Enlargement in Dogs

An enlarged prostate gland may affect your dog’s bowel movements or urination, or it may not cause any symptoms. As the prostate interacts closely with the bladder, prostate enlargement may be a secondary symptom of a bladder condition. Prostatomegaly is most likely to be found in adult dogs middle aged and older and only occurs in male dogs. It is more common in unneutered dogs, occurring at a rate of 80% of unneutered males over the age of 8. While prostate enlargement is most likely benign, it is imperative to seek a veterinary diagnosis promptly, as it has several severe and even life-threatening potential causes.

Your dog may or may not exhibit symptoms beyond the enlargement of the prostate gland itself, and it may or may not feel pain as a result of the enlargement. Potential additional symptoms include:

• Pain during and trouble urinating
• Pain during and trouble defecating
• Pain during and trouble walking, coupled with a hindered gait (short steps, stiff rear legs)
• Constipation
• Abnormal stools
• Pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain

Types

Bacterial Infection - The second most common cause of prostate enlargement, bacteria may enter the prostate through the blood system or urinary tract and cause an infection. Bacterial infections may be acute or chronic and may present as abscesses, which are pockets of pus that form within the gland. Along with the typical symptoms of an enlarged prostate, those caused by bacterial infection are likely to also cause an elevated fever.

Cancer - Prostatic cancer is rare in dogs, accounting for less than 10% of enlarged prostate cases; however, they are difficult to treat, are typically malignant and can be life-threatening. Prostatic cancers often metastasize into the liver, lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, spine, and pelvic bones. Prostate enlargement may also occur as the result of another cancer metastasizing, often transitional cell carcinoma (cancer of the urinary system).

Prostatic cancer is rare in dogs, accounting for less than 10% of enlarged prostate cases; however, they are difficult to treat, are typically malignant and can be life-threatening. Prostatic cancers often metastasize into the liver, lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, spine, and pelvic bones. Prostate enlargement may also occur as the result of another cancer metastasizing, often transitional cell carcinoma (cancer of the urinary system).

As prostate health is an important part of overall health in older male dogs, many veterinarians perform a prostate exam as a part of a routine check-up in dogs whose age puts them at risk. Sometimes prostate enlargement can be detected during these exams and before a dog is exhibiting symptoms. However, if your dog exhibits any symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it is important to bring him in to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. The prostate exam is performed by the insertion of a gloved finger into the rectum in order to palpate the prostate. The veterinarian can detect size, shape, and any abnormalities as well as determine if there is pain associated with the gland.

A blood sample will be taken and analyzed for a complete blood count, which measure red and white blood cells and can indicate infection if there is an elevated white blood cell count. In addition, a chemical blood profile will be run, which measures urea, nitrogen and creatinine levels that could indicate a complication of the kidneys or liver. Samples of urine and semen (if your dog is not neutered) will be taken and analyzed for evidence of infection or cancer. Further tests include x-rays and ultrasounds in order to examine the gland and nearby tissues and organs. A biopsy obtained by fine-needle aspiration may be necessary in order to confirm a diagnosis but is not used as a primary diagnostic tool.

The course of your dog’s treatment will depend on the type and cause of his prostate enlargement.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - BPH is treated through surgical neutering, which causes the prostate to shrink naturally, providing relief. If cysts have developed, they will need to be relieved through surgical drainage.

Bacterial Infection - For bacterial infections, neutering is also the first step in treatment, as it is easier to move forward with treating the infection once the prostate has naturally decreased in size. Bacterial infections will then be treated with antibiotic or antimicrobial medications. Severe, chronic cases may require injections, enemas and possible surgery due to the fact that there is a physiological barrier between the blood and the prostate gland, making it difficult for oral medications to penetrate the gland. Because of this, treatment may take between 6 to 8 weeks. Abscesses might be drained surgically.

Cancer - Prostatic cancer has no cure, and the only option is palliative care in order to provide relief and improve your dog’s quality of life. As there is no cure, you may elect to euthanize your dog in order to spare him pain.

Follow-up visits with your veterinarian are important to monitor recovery. BPH treated through neutering will require a prostate exam and/or follow-up imaging in order to confirm that the prostate is shrinking as expected. Full recovery is expected to be swift, although you will have to monitor the site of your dog’s castration incision and prevent your dog from biting, licking or scratching the site in order to ensure proper healing.

Because bacterial infections require extensive treatment, follow-up visits will be necessary to assess the efficacy of treatment and if changes need to be made to medications and methods. These visits will involve analysis or urine and prostate fluid samples. If your dog has prostate cancer and you choose to treat through radiation, treatment will regularly be monitored. The prognosis for dogs with prostate cancer is not good; once diagnosed, the average survival rate is between six weeks to one year.

Prostate enlargement could be a symptom of a serious medical condition. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.

The cost to treat your dog’s enlarged prostate will vary depending on the type and cause of your dog’s condition as well as choices you may make in treatment. Overall costs will range from a low of $270 to a high of $8,222, with a national average of $4,246. An examination fee averages $65, basic lab fees will be around $35 for the initial samples, $85 for urinalysis, $60 for the bacterial cultures of the samples, between $40-$140 for blood chemistry analyses, $35 for fine-needle aspiration, $150 for x-ray, $200 for ultrasound, $27 per week of antibiotics, $200 for neutering and $5,000-7,000 per course (around five weeks) of radiation.