Prostate cancer affects older male dogs regardless of whether they are neutered, though it is more common in intact males. Because it is so difficult to diagnose, dogs with prostate cancer have a life expectancy of about a month, but that can be increased to about a year with treatment.
-
Symptoms
-
Prostate cancer is difficult to diagnose, because there are few visual symptoms. Most commonly, the dog will have trouble urinating or strain when defecating. He may have blood in his urine or sudden weight loss. If the cancer has spread, you may start to see symptoms of other infected areas.
Surgery
-
Prostate cancer surgery, called a prostatectomy, can cause incontinence in dogs, so many veterinarians are reluctant to do it. However, the tumor can sometimes be removed without a prostatectomy, depending on the size and location.
Radiation
-
Radiation therapy is used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy. It seems to be the most effective in slowing the disease, according to The Dog Health Guide.
Chemotherapy
-
Prostate cancer is insensitive to chemotherapy, but it is usually recommended anyway. The mitoxantrone and carboplatin used in chemotherapy serve as anti-inflammatories that can extend the life of your dog.
Natural Treatment
-
Though not a substitute for Western medicine, some herbs have been shown to reduce symptoms. Saw palmetto reduces inflammation of the prostate, cleavers helps expel toxins and echinacea stimulates the immune system and prevents secondary infections.
-