Canine Enlarged Prostate - The Facts

As previously mentioned a canine enlarged Prostate is a very common condition found in older dogs. It is not uncommon for men as they get older (especially as they reach the age of eighty years of age) to develop Prostate Cancer (in fact the risks of an eighty year old man developing the disease are increased by as much as eighty percent)! This percentage probability is also the same in dogs (although cases of Prostate Cancer in dogs is quite rare - other problems with the gland are very common as a dog ages).

Although a canine enlarged prostate is often directly attributable to old age (as previously mentioned) there are other causes of an enlarged prostate in dogs including...

1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
2. Hormones
3. Bacterial infections either through through the blood or urinary tract.

We will cover the causes in far more detail later!


The symptoms of a canine enlarged prostate gland can include...

1. Pain when urinating - the reason a dog may find it difficult and painful to urinate is because due to the enlarged Prostate becoming swollen this will reduce the size of the Urethra which will then make it more difficult for the urine to pass through - thus causing pain. Your dog may continue to strain when attempting to urinate and the more he strains the more pressure this puts on the Prostate which will then cause more and more pain.

2. Pain when pooping - this is a relatively common problem with a canine enlarged prostate mainly because of the position that the gland is located i.e just below the Rectum. The swollen Prostate will put pressure on the Rectum which will then put pressure on the Canal running through the Pelvis. The poop will then form in the Large Intestine and due to the restricted space the dog will have to repeatedly strain when attempting to poop putting more and more pressure on the Prostate causing intense pain and extreme constipation.

3. A dog with an enlarged Prostate may also walk strangely - this is mainly because the dog will not want to cause excess stress and pain to the gland - you may notice that your dog walks with stiff and very straight back legs. You may also notice that your dog takes very small steps when walking.

4. Peritonitis - although this condition is very rare it can occur in severe cases of Prostate disease. Peritonitis occurs when bacteria escapes from the Prostate and enters the abdominal cavity.

5. Your dog may also experience discharge and yellow pus and even blood leaking from the Penis. This is a very easy symptom to notice with a canine enlarged prostate.

An enlarged prostate can be caused by bacterial infections - this might occur when your dog has a urinary tract infection and the infection has reached the Prostate (through the Urethra and into the Prostate). Infection can also cause the Prostate Gland to become infected through via the blood system.

A bacterial infection affecting your dog will either be diagnoses as Acute or Chronic. The Acute version of this condition is extremely painful and the bacteria may also spread to other areas and organs within your dog's body. Due to the bacteria affecting other areas of your dog's anatomy your dog may develop a fever or other nasty symptoms depending on the area (or organs that have become infected). It is very important that you take your dog to the vet asap - the reason for this is that if the symptoms are affecting other areas of your dog it is important that the Vet knows exactly what has caused the bacterial infection and where it started i.e. in the Prostate (so the Vet can concentrate his or her efforts in this area.

A Chronic bacterial infection can go on for years and years - basically the infected Prostate will continue to pass infected bacteria through the Urethra causing repeated bladder infections. It is also possible for Cysts to develop within the Gland due to a build up of pus. Although the Chronic version is less painful than the Acute version it is very problematic to treat mainly because the Prostate Gland will develop scar tissue with bacteria finding places to colonize and develop.


Cancer is another cause of a canine enlarged prostate (although it is actually quite rare in dogs). Cancer is normally spread to other organs (Liver, Lungs, Kidney, Bladder or Prostate) in your dog's body through the blood. The Cancer can also spread to the Lymph Nodes and then the Back and Pelvis. Although some relief is possible through Radiation (this is a a short term fix as there is no known cure of canine prostate cancer).


This is without doubt the most common cause of a canine enlarged Prostate (and prostate disease). This condition is normally caused through the natural process of getting old (aging). As the Prostate Gland becomes older it also become larger (Hypertrophy). Through the natural aging process not only does this increase the size of the Prostate but more cells occur in the Prostate Glandular Tissue. Nearly all dogs that are getting old or at the very least are over the age of four or five years old the Prostate will become larger. This can bring with it some pain and difficulty when walking.


The diagnosis of an enlarged Prostate is normally achieved through a rectal examination - through the Vet placing two fingers up the Rectum and then checking to see if the gland has become enlarged. It is also possible to check through microscopic examination of the urine as the urine may have more cells present than normal (caused by the enlarged gland).


It is important to mention that 90% of all dogs can be prevented from problems affecting the Prostate by being neutered (castrated) before a dog is one year of age.

Any treatment for this condition can be very expensive with treatment lasting weeks. Any treatment that is offered can involve a dog being catheterized, involve an enema, injections, medications and even surgery.