In previous posts we have discussed failure to have neuter surgery in young dogs as one cause of
prostate enlargement in older males.
Today we were presented with just such a dog, a Cocker spaniel with both testicles intact, a history of
urinary tract infections treated by other veterinarians and a swollen prostate.
Our concerns for this patient are:
- at this age his prostate probably won’t become significantly smaller even if we perform neuter surgery,
- he may have to be on expensive antibiotic therapy for life,
- and eventually the prostate may become so enlarged that it presses the urethra closed, leaving him unable to urinate. The sequella of that outcome is uremia, a poisoning of the body from inability to remove waste products through the urine.
Only time will tell what his outcome is, but we will do all we can to heal him and minimize his suffering.
You can prevent a condition such as this by having your dog neutered before he develops prostate disease.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
MMBPH
