Prostatic disease is common in entire male dogs and encompasses benign hyperplasia, prostatitis, cysts and adenocarcinoma — each with distinct welfare management considerations.
The spectrum of prostatic disease creates diverse welfare challenges. BPH causes variable discomfort during defecation, tenesmus and haematuria — often tolerated by dogs but representing chronic welfare impairment when severe. Acute prostatitis causes extreme pain and systemic illness. Prostatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most painful canine cancers due to early local invasion and bone metastasis. Palliative care including multimodal analgesia, anti-inflammatory management and, where indicated, radiation therapy is the welfare focus for inoperable disease.