Dog Enlarged Prostate Glands Symptoms

1. Normal temperature and no fever unlike prostatitis (prostate gland infection).

2. May walk with a slightly arched back and stiff legs, with shorter steps.

3. Difficulty urinating.

What Causes Dog Enlarged Prostate Glands?

Prostatitis hypertrophy in dogs is caused when the dog's prostate glands become swollen without an infection. This swelling is caused by sex hormones in the dog's body that have an effect on the prostate glands.

There are two different types of sex hormones that can cause this disturbance and swelling. The first is testosterone, which is the male sex hormone produce within the testicles and can cause pain and discomfort when it over stimulates the prostate gland into swelling.

The second hormone is the female hormone oestrogen, this is perfectly normal in a male dog but only in a very small amount. Too much and the prostate will swell and possibly change the structure of the prostate gland cells by a process called squamous metaplasia.

If a female hormone is the cause then it may be due to a sertoli cell tumor and should be checked in the appropriate way.

What Your Vet May Say or Do

To begin your vet will probably look for signs of a stiff back legs and arched back amongst other signs listed above. Then the dog's temperature will be taken to find normal temperature and no fever if this condition is still to be suspected and so that prostatitis can be ruled out.

He/She may then use their fingers to feel for a swollen prostate gland through the anus and to check that there is no pain in this area to further rule out prostatitis.

To cure the problem of too much male testosterone in your dog the answer is to use injections to lower this male hormone to the correct level. If this fails to work then the only other option is to get the dog castrated to remove where the hormone is made and developed.

If the problem is the female hormone the n castration is also the solution because this will remove the offending tumor in the affected testicle. Note that sometime the hormone causing the problem cannot be found easily which will then need further tests such as ultrasound, blood tests, and possibly biopsies.



Other Possible Conditions

Dog Stranguria (Straining to Pass Urine)
Dog Bacterial Cystitis Bladder Problem
Dog Cystitis with Bladder Stones (Crystals)
Dog Bladder Tumor
Dog Prostatitis (Prostate Gland Infections)
Dog Prostatic Tumors
Dog Penis and Vagina Infections and Inflammation