Dog prostate disease – a new screening test
Dog prostate disease is seen commonly in entire male dogs. A new screening test has just become available to detect the commonest problem called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. Over 50% of dogs over five years of age show histological signs of early BPH.
BPH can cause
- constipation or straining to pass motions
- blood in the urine or straining to pass urine
- pain, lameness of the back legs
- infertility
-
prostate and surrounding organs
BPH if untreated may progress and lead to more serious conditions such as prostate abscesses and cysts.
A new simple blood test has just been developed and is now available to screen for prostate disease, and is recommended for all older entire male dogs on an annual basis.
The blood test is for a specific hormone (canine prostate-specific arginine esterase- CPSE) that is secreted by the prostate cells and is increased in dogs with BPH. The sample can be taken at a normal appointment with your veterinary surgeon.
Treatment for BPH is relatively simple and can be either medical with a long acting injection or a course of tablets, or surgical involving castration.
