Diseases of the Canine Prostate Gland

Abstract

In dogs, the most frequent diseases of the prostate gland are benign prostate gland hyperplasia (BPH), acute and chronic prostatitis, squamous metaplasia, and prostate tumors. New diagnostic tools comprise diagnostic markers in the blood and urine, as well as advanced imaging methods. The therapy can be initialized with the 5α-reductase-inhibitor finasteride or an anti-androgenic compound, and prolonged with a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH)-agonist such as deslorelin. In case of prostatitis, effective antibiotics must be applied for weeks. Antibiotics must be able to penetrate into the prostate tissue; fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, and erythromycin are good choices and are in addition effective against mycoplasms. The chronical prostatitis cannot be differentiated from a neoplasia by sonography; a biopsy, histological, and bacteriological examination are required. Tumors of the prostate gland are seldom and mostly occur in castrated but in intact dogs. For the final diagnosis, a biopsy must be taken. Partial and total resection of the prostate gland by use of laser technique is possible but coincedes with many side effects and the prognosis is still futile. Immunotherapy combined with NSAIDs, targeted noninvasive thermotherapy, BRAF gene inhibitors, or prostate artery chemoembolization are promising methods.

Potential role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia in male dogs

“…It is generally accepted that BPH predisposes to prostatitis in dogs (Cunto et al, 2019;Schäfer-Somi, 2023;Smith, 2008).…”

“…The altered oestrogen/testosterone ratio leads to an increase in activity of 5‐α‐reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT and to an increase in concentration of DHT receptors in prostatic tissue (Meikle et al., 1981; Tunn et al., 1988). DTH stimulates enlargement of the canine prostate by enhancing growth of glandular epithelial cells and, to a lesser extent, stromal cells (Schäfer‐Somi, 2023). More recently, oxidative stress has been considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of BPH in men (Minciullo et al., 2015; Pace et al., 2010; Roumeguère et al., 2017).…”

“…Initially, the condition is asymptomatic and may be considered as a physiological process in aging dogs, until clinical symptoms occur (Niżański et al, 2014;Schäfer-Somi, 2023). With the progressive enlargement of the prostate, sanguineous discharge from the urethra, hematuria, hemospermia and defecation problems, and, rarely, dysuria may be observed.…”

Canine Prostatic Disease: Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment

“…Beş yaşından büyük olan kısırlaştırılmamış erkek köpeklerin yaklaşık %80'inde ve 9 yaşından büyük olanların ise %95'inden fazlasında BHP görülmektedir. Ancak bu köpeklerin pek çoğunu asemptomatiktir ve yaklaşık %45'inde BPH subklinik seyreder (Schäfer-Somi, 2022).…”

The effect of benign prostatic hyperplasia on total antioxidant capacity and protein peroxidation in canine prostatic fluid and spermatozoa

“…In the prostatic tissue of BPH dogs DHT concentrations is elevated (Meikle et al 1981). DTH stimulates enlargement of the canine prostate by enhancing growth of glandular epithelial cells, and, to a lesser extent, stromal cells (Schäfer-Somi 2023). BPH begins as glandular hyperplasia and transitions to cystic hyperplasia with the formation of multiple small cysts in the parenchyma (Berry et al 1986, Gobello andCorrada 2002).…”