Prostatitis in dogs: possible causes, symptoms and characteristics of treatment

Unfortunately, pets, like people, are subject to various health problems. In adult dogs, diseases of the genitourinary system often develop. Especially often in dogs diagnosed with inflammation of the prostate. After reading today's article, you will learn how to recognize and treat prostatitis in a dog.

What is the prostate gland?

It is an organ located in the region of the urogenital canal and the neck of the bladder. It has a rounded shape and consists of two parts. The prostate performs several important functions. Thus, the prostate gland in dogs is responsible for the timely closing of the bladder opening during ejaculation and for the production of seminal fluid.

In the body of any healthy animal this secret is constantly synthesized. Therefore, it is excreted from the canine body not only during ejaculation, but also during urination.

What is prostatitis?

This term means an inflammatory process that occurs in the prostate gland. It can be caused by hormonal imbalance, decreased immunity, infections, trauma, freezing and blood circulation disorders in the pelvic organs.

In the prostate gland there is a large number of excretory ducts opening onto the urethral mucosa and creating favorable conditions for transcancialicular entry of pathogenic microorganisms.

Prostatitis in dogs can occur in acute and chronic form. In the first case, the disease is accompanied by pronounced symptoms and, in the absence of proper treatment, leads to serious consequences. The chronic form proceeds more calmly. In this case, the animal does not experience severe pain.

Causes

It is well known that prostatitis in a dog does not have a breed predisposition. As a rule, it develops in males that have reached the age of seven. But at the same time, inflammation can manifest itself in younger dogs. And sometimes veterinarians diagnose prostatitis even in puppies.

This disease can be provoked by the action of many different factors. Often it develops due to improper treatment of a bacterial or viral infection. Also, the cause of prostatitis can be a trauma to the penis or an uncontrolled intake of hormonal drugs that have not been prescribed by a veterinarian. The appearance of this problem often leads to a decrease in immunity, the presence of excess weight and lack of motor activity.

In some cases, inflammation of the prostate occurs as a result of individual predisposition and lack of hygiene. This disease can develop against a background of colitis, urethritis or proctitis.

Symptoms of prostatitis in dogs

As a rule, the presence of this disease can be recognized by the quality of urination. But, like in humans, it proceeds in acute and chronic form.

In the first case, the animal becomes sluggish, starts to refuse food and stops playing. The dog almost always sleeps, its body temperature rises and weight decreases. In acute forms of prostatitis, the dog has a violation of sexual function. During walks, he moves with great care, trying to walk as little as possible. Many animals have constant pain in the spine and discomfort in the groin area.

Chronic inflammation of the prostate gland is less pronounced. When he has an animal, there is no loss of appetite and weight loss. In this case, the dog occasionally shows a slight increase in body temperature and there are certain difficulties with urination.

Signs of severe disease

The seriousness of the problem may be indicated by the appearance of blood discharges from the urethra and false premises for the act of defecation. Also, the severe form of prostatitis can easily be recognized by frequent trips to the toilet, during which only a few drops of urine are released.

The severity of the disease is often indicated by the weakness and puffiness of the hind limbs, as a result of which the dog constantly lies. Often, a severe form of inflammation of the prostate gland is accompanied by constipation, nausea, vomiting and dehydration of the animal's body.

Methods of diagnosis

At the slightest suspicion of prostatitis in a dog, the animal must be shown to the vet. An experienced expert will examine the dog and will assign a number of additional studies. In the process of determining the exact diagnosis, it is important to completely exclude the presence of cystitis, tumors and other health problems.

During the first visit, the veterinarian must collect an anamnesis, make ultrasound, perform palpation and rectal examination of the prostate gland. To appoint an effective cure for prostatitis in dogs, the doctor will write directions for additional examinations. The exact diagnosis is made on the basis of biochemical and clinical blood analysis. In some cases, a cytological examination of the seminal fluid may be required. Sometimes you can not do without a contrast X-ray of the pelvic organs and aspiration biopsy.

How to treat prostatitis in dogs?

Therapy of this disease is aimed at arresting the inflammatory process, removing painful sensations, stabilizing the general condition and restoring the functioning of the prostate gland.

As a conservative treatment, infusion solutions, immunostimulants, antispasmodics, antibacterial and hormonal drugs are usually prescribed. Physiotherapy, antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are quite successfully used for these purposes.

Antibiotics for prostatitis in dogs are prescribed for a sufficiently long period. Their choice is based on the results of laboratory studies and only after assessing the sensitivity of the animal's organism to these or other drugs. When prescribing antibiotics, it is important to first make sure that it is able to penetrate the prostate gland. When prostatitis is very effective means that are perfectly soluble in lipids and poorly bound by proteins. This group includes enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol. Ampicillin, aminoglycosides and tetracyclines are hardly soluble in lipids. Therefore, their use is completely ineffective.

Intravenously administered antibiotics for infectious prostatitis in dogs. To eliminate the problem caused by pathogenic microorganisms, a wide range of drugs is often used. For more successful treatment and consolidation of the results obtained, the animal is prescribed immuno-fortifying agents aimed at the early restoration of a weakened organism.

If conservative therapy is ineffective, then the dog is sent to castration. Such an operation is performed under general anesthesia and helps to prevent the terrible consequences of the disease.

Methods of prevention

Like any other ailment, prostatitis in dogs, whose treatment should be controlled by a veterinarian, can be prevented. To prevent this problem, you need to follow a few basic recommendations. First of all, it is necessary to monitor the weight of your pet's body and feed it with a correct and well balanced diet.

It is equally important to provide the dog with regular long walks, during which the dog can run and throw out the accumulated energy. Also, do not allow hypothermia.

It is desirable to regularly prophylaxis of genito-urinary infections and systematically show the animal to a vet. If the dog is constantly used for breeding, then it is necessary to observe basic rules of safety and hygiene. If the dog does not regularly knit, then it is recommended to castrate it in time. This simple operation is carried out not earlier than six months of age. It is considered a good prevention of many diseases of the genitourinary system. With its help you can avoid the development of prostatitis and even oncology.