What is Prostate Enlargement?
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.
A dog’s prostate gland is situated between the bladder and the rectum and produces prostatic fluid and is regulated by a dog’s testosterone. The abnormal enlargement of a dog’s prostate gland is medically referred to as prostatomegaly.Prostate Enlargement Average Cost
From 15 quotes ranging from $300 - $12,000
Average Cost
$1,800
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Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. It occurs as a natural part of aging in the majority of unneutered male dogs, but does not occur in neutered male dogs. As the dog ages, the gland goes into hypertrophy, which means that the number and size of the cells in the prostate gland increase. As a result of BPH, benign cysts may develop. This condition puts pressure on surrounding tissue and may cause discomfort.
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).
Causes of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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).
Diagnosis of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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.
Treatment of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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.
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Recovery of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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.
Cost of Prostate Enlargement in Dogs
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.
Prostate Enlargement Average Cost
From 15 quotes ranging from $300 - $12,000
Average Cost
$1,800
Top
Prostate Enlargement Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bulldog
Beamer
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
Beamer presented with bloody urine in oct 2017
Hospital prescribed antibiotic. When he finished the blood returned
Vet follow up showed urine crystals and high ph along with exam showing enlarged prostate, so he began enthflaxacin 136 mg 1&1/2 1xdaily, prostate pmg, prostate support both 1 tab 2xdaily and told he needed a prescription diet of royal canin. He would not eat it. And being a bulldog we had great concern of reaction to this grade food. So he went on methionine 3tAbs 2x daily which did not help. Urinalysis continue to show no improvement meds upped again antibiotic to 1&1/2 2x daily and methionine 4 tans 2x daily. Meds keep suggesting to be upped but if not doing anything we are skeptical so requested an Ultrasound dec 2017 confirmed bladder stones and enlarged prostate. All other organs appear well. During this procedure we did. It feed him overnight. Only time in months urinalysis showed he had perfect ph! We then were given another prescription food that he loves, (blue buffalo vet uw food)
Went off methionine
Urinalysis tests from there continue to show ph is high as of jan 2018 and still blood in urine, this is heart wrenching as it has becomes unaffordable on a weekly basis, we will do anything for our boy!
This past week Beamer has now had difficulty urinating. Comes out very slow or drops. And at the end a squirt of either blood or urine. Very scary! Vet wants his ph lowered before considering neuter or catherlization to remove stones. Back on methionine with prescription food.
We googled ourselves expelling his bladder as he tries to go as we cannot watch our boy be unable to urinate and it seems to help a bit until we get to the bottom of what to do next.
Also encouraging him to water which he hasn’t been doing much. Otherwise eating and great spirits.
We cannot figure out why his ph won’t lower. Or why it would seem nothing has worked after months of this treatment. His doctor said it is from a infection of bladder/prostate and it would be a slow fix but by this time I would believe we would see some type of improvements....
Please help! Hopeful and looking for a miracle
Are we missing anything? Is there another method to try?
Jan. 13, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. While I can't examine Beamer or diagnose anything, from your description, it might be best to have surgery for him to remove the stones, and have him neutered. Bladder stones can cause chronic infections as they are a foreign body in the bladder, and chronic infections can cause a high pH as the bacteria produce materials that increase the pH. Getting rid of the stones would help the problem. As long as those stones are there, he is at risk of a life-threatening urinary blockage. Neutering him should help with his enlarged prostate. I hope that he does well.
Jan. 13, 2018
craberry powder/vitamin C, human grade diet/nueter/remove stones
June 2, 2018
Cheryl S.
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Dachshund
Jaqc
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Urine
Lethargic
Urinary Incontinence
Difficulty Passing Stool
Jaqc became completely incontinent and was having blood in his urine and was having trouble pooping, crying out because it was painful. I took him to the vet, they diagnosed a UTI from urine test. He competled the meds and we took him back because there was no change in his symptoms. Then they did repeat blood and urine test, xrays, and prostate exam. They said it was an enlarged prostate. So they gave more antibiotics, 2 different kinds, and pain meds. He is almost finished with his antibiotics and is still completely incontinent. He wears a diaper now. Is still in pain when pooping, and only pooping small amounts. And had blood in urine still and seems to be in pain. I cant stand to see him like this, is there something the vet missed? What other test or meds can i try?
Jan. 6, 2018
0 Recommendations
Prostate enlargement is normally attributable to benign prostatic hyperplasia, infection or cancer; treatment would be dependent on the underlying primary cause; if the cause is due to an infection of the prostate then antibiotics would be the treatment of choice, however in severe cases surgery may be indicated (as well as neutering if not done already). If there is no improvement in ease of defecation (stool softeners or plain canned pumpkin may help), then surgery is probably the next step if suitable. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 7, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Gehrig
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My 4 year old male Lab (Gehrig) has an enlarged prostate with cysts. The only symptoms are occasional drops of blood from his urethra. The Vet recommends neutering. Are there any nutritional supplements or super foods and/or drugs that will shrink his prostate and make neutering unnecessary? Are there homeopathic methods or other alternative remedies that have shown efficacy in treating BPH? He has concomitant skin issue but not sure they are related to excessive testosterone production. Doesn't a dog need testosterone for a healthy endocrine system? I am concerned that without his testes, he would have to obtain his testosterone from his adrenals. Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jan. 6, 2018
0 Recommendations
Neutering is the treatment of choice for benign prostatic hyperplasia, new age thinking suggests that dogs should be left intact but the health issues related with not neutering (prostate disorders, testicular cancer, aggression among others) are not worth it; a dog like Gehrig could be neutered at around nine months to a year and live happily ever after. The opinion is divided between Veterinarians but I would recommend that you have him neutered, there are medical treatments (finasteride) which may be used for breeding males. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 7, 2018
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Prostate Enlargement Average Cost
From 15 quotes ranging from $300 - $12,000
Average Cost
$1,800
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
