Human males are not the only mammalian species with a prostate gland – in fact, almost all male mammals have prostates, though their size and shape differs significantly among species. The purpose of the prostate – an accessory sex gland – is to provide protective nutrients and fluid to help sperm movement and survival when an animal mates.

In the dog, prostatic health issues are quite common and most frequently diagnosed in entire (non-castrated) males. It’s estimated that by the time an un-neutered male dog reaches 8 years of age, he has a greater than 80% chance of developing prostate disease.

Prevention is straightforward - castrating non-breeding dogs before 1 year of age essentially stops the development of the most common prostatic disorders seen in the dog.

Three prostate disease conditions occur in entire male dogs – benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis and cancer of the prostate. Clinical signs are similar in all three disorders and relate to enlargement of the gland with resulting pressure on the rectum and/or the urethra.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is the most common condition seen in dogs. It is a non-malignant increase in the size of the prostate gland related directly to the influence of the hormone testosterone. It can start as early as 5 years of age but like most prostatic disease, BPH is seen more commonly in older dogs.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis – a bacterial infection of the prostate gland – is less common and is often seen with cystitis (infection in the bladder). Alongside painful defaecation and urination, signs can include fever, depression, vomiting and an infected discharge from the prepuce. The dog will be miserable and in obvious pain.

Prostate cancer

Fortunately for the dog, prostate cancer is much rarer than in the human male but it can be very aggressive and difficult to treat. As this cancer is not influenced by testosterone, it is the only condition of the prostate to occur in both neutered and intact male dogs.