The Truth About Canine Prostate Cancer

Humans aren't the only ones that can get prostate cancer. Your dog is also susceptible to this disease, especially if it's an older dog. This type of cancer is very lethal. This article will tell you everything you need to know about canine prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer in humans is often inactive and grows slowly. Canine prostate cancer is the complete opposite, as it is very aggressive and invasive that normally affects older dogs. Cancer cells spread rapidly to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, and lymph nodes. The disease is usually not recognized until it has already progressed into the later stages. So what are the symptoms you should look for?

Symptoms

Canine prostate cancer produces a variety of symptoms. They include weight loss and general pain. Your dog may also have difficulty urinating and passing stool. He may also have weakness in the hind legs leading to an abnormal gait. So how is this disease detected?

Detection

Canine prostate cancer is usually not detected until the disease has already reached the late stages. It is best detected with contrast X-rays. It can also be detected by testing a urine sample. The final method of detection is a biopsy of the rectal wall. This is the most definitive method. After being detected, there are a variety of treatment options.

Treatment

If the cancer is hormone responsive, like human prostate cancer, is can be treated with castration and the use of anti androgen drugs. Unfortunately, the majority of the cancers are not responsive to hormones. Surgery is a bleak option because the prostate in dogs in much more complex and can be hazardous to the dog. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used instead, but most dogs with canine prostate cancer survive less than a year. Many don't survive 30 days after detection.