Prostate Cancer In Senior Dogs

In older dogs , early diagnosis is essential to cope with prostate cancer. Spaying is the best prevention because male hormones induce most prostate diseases, hence castration is the most effective treatment.

The prostate in elderly animals

In 80% of dogs older than 10 years, the size of the prostate is above normal  and, in addition, it is highly probable that pets do not present specific symptoms.

The prostate is the gland attached to the neck of the urinary bladder and the urethra  that secretes a whitish and viscous fluid, whose function is to stimulate the movement of sperm. At a certain age, it can begin to present different pathologies, and prostate cancer in elderly or senior dogs is one of them.

One of the most common conditions is prostatitis or bacterial infection of the prostate. The increase in the tumor type of the prostate gland –or hyperplasia– is directly related to hormones. It appears suddenly, but it remains chronically; in this case, the expectations of cure are high.

Prostate tumors or cysts with fluid accumulation are less common, but are usually malignant. These are accumulations of liquid that can reach large dimensions.

Although between some dogs and others the symptoms may present differently, the attention of the owners always seems essential to detect the tumor in time and thus promote more chances of survival of the animal.

The symptoms

There are different symptoms that should not be ignored when it comes to preventing or treating prostate cancer in senior dogs:

• Bleeding in the urine and from the penis, difficulty urinating, and urinary incontinence are symptoms that must be addressed immediately.
• Constipation, changes in the stool and pain when defecating  are caused by the pressure that the prostate makes on the intestine.
• Lameness and stiffness when walking are locomotor signs that indicate prostate problems. They originate from the pressure of the gland on the nerves posterior to the prostate area, although they are the least common.
• The fever, generalized pain, depression, lack of appetite, weight loss or vomiting are the most frequent indications to be treated a problem. In fact, these symptoms occur in more than 50% of prostate cancer cases in dogs.

Thus, an early diagnosis and adequate treatment allow, in most cases, a satisfactory control of this harsh and cruel disease, from which many dogs and humans are not free from suffering.

Treatment of prostate cancer in dogs

• Ultrasound is the most effective method for detecting prostate cancer in older dogs ; the next thing is to start treatment as soon as possible.
• Through medications or the scalpel, the ways to counteract or prevent prostate cancer are diverse and will depend on the type of pathologies, the degree of affection and the age of the dog.
• Antibiotics are effective in the case of infectious prostatitis, although treatment must be very specific and prolonged, since these drugs reach the prostate area with difficulty.
• The production of male hormones is the cause of prostate diseases that affect older dogs, and  is counteracted by the generation of other hormones.

• If the treatment is surgical, the options are reduced to two: castration or sterilization. It is the most frequent because it is the most effective, since it inhibits the production of hormones. And it is that the removal of the testicles is a common and routine surgical operation, with low rates of mortality or associated complications.
• Another alternative treatment is to drain the cysts to empty them and prevent them from reproducing.
• In the case of tumors, prostate surgery is recommended. However, it should be noted that the operation is not easy, as it has side effects such as urinary incontinence.

Tips to prevent prostate cancer

It is advisable to go periodically to the vet for the location of tumors, but if any of the symptoms that could make you suspect the presence of prostate cancer are detected, you should go to a specialist immediately.

Therefore, permanent examinations of the prostate from the age of seven  guarantee greater peace of mind. If the dog is diagnosed with prostate cancer or adenocarcinoma , it is essential to strictly implement the treatment. We must prevent the condition from worsening and seek recovery or, as a lesser evil, a better quality of life.