Canine Prostate Symptoms

Although prostate cancer is not a frequent problem in dogs, it does occur. Generally, older dogs, intact or neutered, are the ones that are impacted by prostate cancer. When a dog develops prostate cancer, the disease acts quickly and often results in death. Knowing the symptoms of canine prostate cancer will help you detect it in your dog early and seek medical treatment.

  1. Urinary Problems

    • According to Vet Info, as the prostate enlarges, it causes pressure to be applied to the wall of the urethra. Since the urethra is the way your dog eliminates urine from his body, pressure upon this tube can cause a number of urinary problems. The most common problem is difficulty urinating. As the urethra becomes constricted, urine has a hard time passing out of the body. This may also result in your dog urinating more frequently because he is not able to release all the urine at once. Another common symptom is blood in the urine. Blood may be minimal and hard to detect or the urine can be bright red. Either is a sign that your dog should be checked by a vet immediately. Another common symptom as the prostate enlarges is pain when urinating. You may notice your dog yelping or whining when he tries to relieve himself.

    Bowel Problems

    • The enlarging prostate may also press against the bowels, causing digestive problems, too. As the prostate enlarges, it can press against the dog's rectum, causing constipation. According to Natural Dog Healing, this is often seen as your dog strains to pass a bowel movement. Other dogs may develop weight loss as the disease progresses. According to Angiogenesis Foundation, weight loss is the most common symptom of canine prostate cancer. Dogs often eat less when they are having bowel issues as well as when they are in pain.

    Walking Difficulty

    • A dog with an enlarged prostate will often have trouble walking. Because the prostate is pressing against the rectum and the urethra, your dog may begin to experience weakness in his hind legs, according to Dog Illnesses. Walking problems may also be expressed by stiff hind legs or an arched back. Also, dogs with prostate cancer often take very short steps with their back legs because of the enlarged prostate and pain.