Prostate Cancer in Male Dogs

As dogs age they suffer many of the same health conditions as people. One of those conditions is an enlarged prostate, which is common in 2/3 of dogs who have not been neutered. Is this a sign of prostate cancer in male dogs? Probably not, says Ryan Delp on Hubpages. But it still needs the attention of your vet.

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.” Read the entire story here.

If your old dog suffers from hyperplasia, treatment is available. Your vet will diagnose the severity of the condition and recommend treatment accordingly. Sadly, prostate cancer in male dogs does not have as good a survival rate as prostate cancer in humans or other types of cancer in canines.  Learn more about dog prostate cancer treatment from expert Dr. Demian Dressler at the Dog Cancer Blog.