PROSTATE DISEASES IN THE DOG

A retrospective study is presented of prostatic diseases diagnosed in 32 dogs over a period of 26 years in a private veterinary practice. Of the 32 diseased dogs, 19 patients were aged 6-10 years, 11 dogs were 11-15 years of age, and 2 animals were younger than 5 years. An unusua l case of prostate carcinoma in a 2-year-old Dobermann is documented. Based on clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examination compl eted by bacteriological and laboratory tests, prostatitis was diagnose d in 6 animals. In 26 dogs prostatic hyperplasia was found by rectal e xamination, and elevated serum acid phosphatase concentration indicate d neoplasms. Hormone therapy (Cyproteronacetate, Diethylstilbestrol) w as used in 21 dogs with hyperplastic prostate for 4 weeks. However, fo ur months later all dogs were castrated as hyperplasia reoccurred. Cas tration resulted in a permanent improvement in ca 40 % of patients. Hy perplasia tended to diminish after castration, and in material collect ed 6 months later by fine-needle transurethral biopsy, carcinoma was s till diagnosed in 3 dogs. Our findings confirm more frequent prostasti c diseased in aged dogs. Occurrence and frequency of prostatic rumours in dogs can be ascribed to hormonal dysbalance. Hormone therapy canno t cure the malignancies but may bring relief. Castration is the method of choice.