The prostate is the organ responsible for secreting fluid that transmits the sperm cells. This can be found in front of the rectum but below the bladder. Just like in humans, prostate problems can greatly affect a dog’s health.
It is important to understand the different kinds of a dog’s prostate problems in order for you to know the proper care and treatment for your buddy who has this illness:
- Prostate enlargement. This is one of most common prostate problems. It is also known as BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Although this disorder is not cancerous, it must be treated at once because of the discomfort it causes the dog. This usually comes out among dogs that are not neutered and aged. The enlargement causes the prostate to press the rectum leading to difficulty to urinate and defecate.
- Prostate inflammation. This is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract leading to urinary problems. A dog with prostate inflammation will experience itching in its urinary tract.
- Prostate cancer. This rare kind of prostate problem is the most fatal although it is rare. Because of this, it must be treated upon detection since it can easily spread all over the dog’s body.
To treat the prostate enlargement and inflammation, the dog should be given appropriate drugs and vitamin supplements. In some cases, the dog may even need a radiation treatment and hormone therapy especially those that suffer from prostate cancer.
Here are additional ways to take care for the dog with prostate problems:
- Neuter the dog. Removing the prostate glands will not only get rid of the source of the dog’s discomfort but can also prolong its lifespan.
- To alleviate its difficulty in moving bowel, give it fiber rich foods that will ease out the pressure. You can also treat your dog with carrot sticks together with fiber rich dog food.
- Roam the dog outside. It will also be of great help to encourage the dog to roam outside. This will trigger the dog to frequently urinate, thus preventing the complication of urinary tract infection. Let the dog have a walk outside regularly.
- The dog will need much of your patience because of its disorder. Make sure that you spend time with the dog for play session everyday. Also, be patient with the dog when urinating. Since inflamed prostate can cause pressure, let the dog take a little rest first before demanding for it to urinate.
- Give it a dose of aspirin to relive some pain. However, make sure to consult this with your vet. He will determine the right dosage for the condition of your dog.
- Give the dog plenty of fresh water regularly. This will help avoid the development of urinary tract infection.
- If the dog shows difficulty in moving bowel, ask your vet to prescribe stool softener supplement. This will help in loosening the stool consistency and relieve some pain in emptying bowels.
Dogs that suffer from prostate problems require proper attention and care. Whether your pet’s prostate problem is fatal or not, it should be given treatment at once to improve the quality of your dog’s life. Giving your pet proper care will keep it away from illnesses.