Prostate Problems In Aging Male Dogs
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With age comes an increase in the chances of your intact male dog developing some type of prostrate problem. Generally castrated or neutered males have far less likelihood in developing this condition as the testicles, which produce the hormones that can cause problems, are no longer present in the body. For intact males that continue to produce testosterone in the testes, prostate enlargement, either hyperplasia or cancer, is found in approximately 2/3 of all senior intact males.
Prostate cancer in male dogs is relatively uncommon, which is good news for dogs and owners. Prostate cancer is very hard to detect until it is significant and has often spread to other organs of the body by the time it is discovered. Surgery may be an option however it is typically not effective because of the cancer's spread. Typically the common signs owners may notice include chronic constipation and straining to have a bowel movement, blood in the urine, lameness in the hindquarters and a chronic back pain and stiffness.
Hyperplasia, unlike cancer is a swelling of the tissues of the prostrate that is not caused by a malignant tumor. The prostrate gland in dogs is located just beneath the opening of the anus and an increase in the size of the gland presses upwards, partially obstructing the bowel. This can cause straining when the dog is trying to move the waste material out of his body. There are typically few other signs and trouble with urination or lameness should not be an issue with hyperplasia.
Treatment can include one of several options depending on the severity of the condition. For mild cases or for dogs that respond well, shots of the female hormone estrogen are used, which causes the tissue to shrink back to normal size. Typically this treatment will last several months or even years. In cases where dogs do not respond to estrogen, castration is recommended and surgically completed. The senior male dog will usually be kept for observation for a day or two after the surgery and will need to be fed a special diet to prevent constipation and strain on the body while recovering from surgery. An Elizabethan collar is often used around the neck for up to a week to prevent the dog from licking at the area and possibly pulling out the stitches.
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