The function of the prostate is the production of prostatic fluid for the transport, and as a means of support, of the spermatozoa on their journey from the testicles to the female’s genital tract.
Issues
As we can imagine, the symptoms associated with prostate disorders vary according to the problem and its intensity; any of the most common alterations, except for acute prostatitis, can occur without the slightest noticeable symptom in the eyes of humans.
In most cases, prostate problems lead to difficulty having a bowel movement (rectal tenesmus) and/or difficulty passing urine (dysuria).
A sign that clearly shows a prostate problem is urethral discharge , which is known as Urethrorrhea or Medorrea; the content is usually made up of prostatic secretions, blood, pus exudates…
In prostate diseases we can also appreciate systemic symptoms, among the most common we have fever, depression, abdominal pain, locomotor difficulties in the posterior third…
In large prostatic cysts, an increase in the size of the abdomen can also be observed.
Diagnosis
We already have data to suspect the presence of a prostate problem, now we must confirm or rule out the suspicion; For this, and as always, we will go to the veterinarian so that, through the appropriate diagnostic techniques, he can assess the real state of the accessory sexual gland of our dog.
Among the most common actions of the professional in the face of this type of alteration are the following:
- Anamnesis (“Interrogation”): on too many occasions many owners are surprised by the large number of questions that veterinarians ask… it is not that these health professionals are more or less gossip… far from it!!; The reality is that the anamnesis or “interrogation” must be the first part of any evaluation, the fundamental basis of any clinical history.
- Physical examination: once the owner has been consulted, the professional will try to obtain as many data as possible after the physical examination of the animal.
The veterinarian, in the case of the prostate, will perform an abdominal and rectal palpation; with this you will be able to appreciate the existence or not of pain in the area, possible inflammations and through rectal palpation, the size, placement and possible pain of the gland.
- Analytical: urine and blood tests should be performed. In the urinalysis we will confirm or rule out the existence of infection; With the complete blood count and the biochemical profile we will assess the possible alteration of other organs.
Among the analyzes to be carried out, prostatic fluid, urethral secretion, as well as the animal’s semen can also be assessed.
- Radiography: through the radiological study we can observe the size, position and contour or shape of the prostate.
- Ultrasound: with ultrasound, apart from the size, position and contour, we can also appreciate the glandular consistency. It is one of the best diagnostic means to confirm and differentiate existing pathologies.
- Prostatic biopsy: in the case of suspicion of certain pathologies (tumors), a biopsy may be recommended to confirm and classify the problem.
prostate problems
On many occasions, castration is recommended as an effective method of controlling prostate pathologies… this is justified because castration cancels the action of testosterone on the prostate, which produces a decrease of up to 20% in the glandular size of the prostate. a normal adult and the possibility of the appearance of certain pathologies.
Prostatic pathologies are more frequent in animals of a certain age and affect larger animals more; Among the most frequent pathologies we have the following:
- Benign hyperplasia: this problem is due to the aging of the animal, it is a glandular modification due exclusively to the normal passage of time.
Most animals with this problem show no clinical signs; in certain cases, difficulties appear when defecating due to the increase in glandular size; the occasions in which urethral discharge is appreciated are rare.
In this problem, treatment is only applied if there are symptoms.
- Prostatitis: the most common inflammations of the prostate are usually due to bacterial infections (acute or chronic). The prostate is usually predisposed to infections due to pathologies of the urinary system such as urolithiasis, urinary tract infections… The most common infectious agent is E.coli.
Prostatic infection usually produces systemic symptoms such as anorexia, weakness, vomiting, difficulty walking, urethral discharge…
Urine often contains blood, urination is often painful…
Diagnosis is made by analyzing urine (with culture) and blood, and diagnostic imaging (radiology, ultrasound…) - Prostatic abscesses: Prostatic abscesses are a severe form of bacterial prostatitis in which abscesses (“pockets”) with purulent septic exudate (“pus”) form.
The animal may have difficulties defecating and/or urinating, there are constant or intermittent urethral secretions… and systemic signs such as fever, anorexia, weakness, pain… In severe cases, in which there is rupture or release of abscesses, fatal prognosis peritonitis may occur.
The treatment goes through the surgical drainage of the abscesses.
- Prostatic tumors: the incidence of tumors in the prostate of dogs is really low: only 5% of dogs with prostate pathologies presented tumors; most dog prostate tumors are malignant.
Among the symptoms of this pathology we have difficulties in defecating and/or urinating, pain in the posterior third, anorexia, weight loss…
The diagnosis is based on the entire battery of tests mentioned above, but it should always be confirmed by biopsy.
Regarding treatment, surgery can be tried, keeping in mind that there are secondary problems of alterations in urination…
In adult non-castrated animals it would be advisable to assess the state of the prostate annually at the veterinary clinic.
