Benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly called “BPH”, is a typically non-painful condition that involves symmetrical enlargement of a male dog’s prostate gland. “Hyperplasia” is defined as an abnormal increase in the volume or size of a tissue or organ that is caused by the growth of new, normal cells. This is a different physiological process than “hypertrophy,” which is an increase in the volume or size of a tissue or organ that is produced entirely by the abnormal enlargement of existing individual cells. Dogs with BPH have larger-than-normal prostate glands because new prostate cells and tissue are being formed.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is influenced by sex hormones, especially testosterone, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone and estrogen. These hormones are the triggers for formation and growth of new prostate cells, which in turn are responsible for benign enlargement of the prostate gland. In intact (unneutered) male dogs, BPH is also influenced by the natural course of aging. BPH is the most common cause of an enlarged prostate gland in older domestic dogs. This condition is also referred to
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) usually causes no symptoms in domestic dogs. Even when symptoms do occur, the dog usually is otherwise in good health and is not in a great deal of discomfort or distress. As the prostate gland enlarges in a sexually intact aging male, it eventually may physically press on the rectum (the end of the large intestine) and the urethra (the passageway for urine from the bladder to the outside). This
Enlargement of a male dog’s prostate gland is not especially difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose. Careful rectal and abdominal palpation by a skilled veterinarian is the best way to identify an enlarged prostate. Rectal palpation will reveal a symmetrically enlarged prostate gland – called “prostatomegaly” - in intact male dogs that have developed benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, physically manipulating the prostate gland cannot help the veterinarian determine the cause of the enlargement;
In many cases, treatment is not required for dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), especially if the dog is showing no clinical symptoms of discomfort or distress. The goals of treatment are to resolve any clinical signs of the condition, relieve any discomfort and restore the dog’s pain-free quality of life.Dogs with BPH that show no signs of their condition typically do not require treatment. The most effective treatment for BPH – indeed, the