What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer in Dogs

What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer in Dogs

 

Has your dog been diagnosed with canine prostate cancer, or do you suspect they are suffering from this disease? If so, I’m so sorry to know that you’re going through this difficult experience. A cancer diagnosis for a beloved pet is never easy. 

 

While prostate cancer in dogs is very rare (affecting less than 1%of dogs), it can be serious, and sadly, it can be deadly. It’s important to know more about this cancer, such as causes, symptoms, life expectancy, and options to help, so you can be better prepared!

 

 

The group of professionals and animal lovers here at Zumalka are dedicated to using our expertise and knowledge to help thousands of pet parents around the world deal with their pet’s health problems, including cancer diagnoses. 

 

I hope this article gives you the information you need to handle your dog’s cancer diagnosis, and also make an informed decision on options that can help!

 

We also have a complete guide to dog cancer with more information about different cancers affecting dogs.

 

 

What Is Prostate Cancer In Dogs?

 

The prostate is a small gland in male dogs near the bladder that helps in developing sperm. Prostate tumors are very rare, but unfortunately, the majority of these tumors are malignant, or cancerous, and likely to spread.

 

It’s possible for benign tumors (non cancerous growths that don’t spread) to develop on the prostate, but it’s much less likely.

 

Canine prostate cancer can affect dogs that are neutered or unneutered (intact), so if you have a male dog, it’s good to keep an eye out for any symptoms!

 

 

What Causes Prostate Cancer In Dogs?

 

While we can’t identify a specific cause, we know that there are both environmental and genetic factors that cause prostate cancer in dogs, and there are certain breeds that tend to be affected more than others.

 

Dogs such as Doberman Pinschers, Beagles, and Miniature Poodles are more at risk than most other breeds. As with all cancers, older dogs are also diagnosed more often. 

 

Prostate cancer can be categorized as either “primary” or “secondary”. Primary tumors means that the cancer started in the prostate, and secondary tumors mean that the cancer started somewhere else and moved to the prostate.

 

Primary tumors are often aggressive, and they have a high chance of metastasizing (spreading) to different parts of the body.

 

 

 

What Are The Signs of Prostate Cancer In Dogs?

 

Canine prostate cancer can be hard to diagnose, and sometimes can affect “bathroom habits”, or their urination and bowel movements. 

 

Here are some symptoms of prostate tumors in dogs to look for:

  • Frequent urination
  • Painful urination or bowel movements
  • Bloody urine
  • Fatigue/Lethargy
  • Weight loss/Decreased appetite

 

If your pup has these symptoms, make sure to get him/her checked out right away! Even if it’s not a prostate cancer diagnosis, some of these signs can point to a different type of cancer, or other health concerns too! The earlier you can detect that your dog is sick and get the needed treatment, the better it is.

 

During an exam at the vet, they will look for signs that the prostate is firm or irregular, or swollen lymph nodes.

 

 

Canine Prostate Cancer: Life Expectancy

 

Life expectancy for dogs with prostate cancer depends a lot on how big the tumor is, how severe it is, and if it's spread. Because this cancer tends to be aggressive,  life expectancy can be as little as one month after diagnosis, or as much as 2 years.

 

In order to extend life expectancy, it is important to reduce the risk of further tumor spread, and also reduce the chances of a secondary infection.

 

 

Prostate Cancer in Dogs: Treatments

 

Traditional cancer treatments normally recommended by vets, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, generally aren’t recommended for prostate tumors in dogs. 

Depending on your pup’s specific circumstances, your vet might recommend treatment called NSAIDs, or Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. 

 

It’s a tough decision to choose a treatment plan, because there is lots of information to consider, and you want to research the benefits and risks of each option. I know you want to find the best treatment available for your pet - and so do we!

 

We are dedicated to researching, producing, and providing natural products that are useful for pet parents and their beloved companions. We have used our over 20 years of experience to create PIPTOPET, a natural product specifically designed to help your pup during his fight against cancer!

 

This product is made with a medicinal mushroom with anti-tumor properties and can be used on your dog. As a pet parent, you want to avoid recurrences and secondary infections

 

One thing that might give you peace of mind - you not only can use this product long-term , but also use it either on its own, or in addition to other treatment options!

 

We are always here to help - please fill out our Free Consultation form to see what we can do to help all of your pet’s health problems!

 

We know how important it is for you to make informed decisions about your pets health. If you have any other questions that weren’t answered in this article, please let us know in the comments below, or feel free to contact us by phone, email, or web chat any time!

 

Do you have a friend or family member who’s a pet parent too? If so, please share this article with them on social media so they can be informed too.

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Denyse Lessard
Denyse Lessard

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.