Description
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male reproductive tract, located close to the bladder and urethra. Prostatitis may appear in either an acute or chronic form. Certain other types of prostatitis exist, but as their symptoms are hard to distinguish they are not mentioned in this paragraph.
Urgency
Danger
Course
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are unspecific and generally do not stand out. In most cases, changes in the animal's urine are the first symptoms. The urine may appear different, and traces of blood may be seen. The discharge of a pus-like substance may also be excreted from the urethra.
Cause
There are some cases where symptoms of prostatitis–inflamation of the prostate gland–are ambiguous. However, in acute prostatitis, where inflammation is severe and happens quickly, overall health is usually impaired. Fever, lethargy, and weakness are common symptoms. Appetite is usually reduced. In addition, the dog's urine appears cloudy and sometimes bloody. As a result, many dogs give audible utterances due to the pain they endure during urination. Movement may also be impaired, and animals with prostatitis usually have a stiff gait. If treatment is not carried out aggressively, abscesses inside the prostate may form. Note, once formed, abscesses must be removed surgically. Another common curative treatment for prostatitis is permanent castration.
Therapy
Prostatitis mostly stems from bacterial infections that have ascended through the urethra. Both acute and chronic prostatitis require treatment with antibiotics, administered over a long stretch of time (4-6 weeks). Malign alterations of the organ are considered critical. In the course of treatment prostatic cysts are often discovered. Small cysts located inside the organ pose no health threat and may be left in place. Large cysts on the edge of the prostate have to be removed, as they may further increase in size and impair other organs. Prostatic tumors or cysts that are often linked to prostatitis or benign enlargement of the organ have to be considered in diagnosis and treatment.
Emergency measures
If your dog is showing symptoms of prostatitis, consult a veterinary clinic.