RESEARCH ARTICLE
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PROSTATIC DISEASES IN DOGS Kiren Menon, Krishnaswamy A and Honnappa T.G. Department of Animal Reproduction Gynaecology and Obstetrics Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bangalore ABSTRACT A study was conducted to note the major clinical signs of prostatic diseases in dogs. The major signs exhibited were constipation (66.7 per cent) followed by inappetence (53.3 per cent). Other signs included hemorrhagic prepucial discharge and dysuria (46.7 per cent each), abnormal gait (40 per cent), vomiting and cachexia (33.3 per cent each). Hematuria, pyuria and purulent prepucial discharge were also noted in some animals. Pyrexia and dehydration was seen in 33.3 per cent of the animals followed by 26.7 per cent of the animals with a poor body condition. Caudal abdominal pain was very infrequent.
INTRODUCTION The common clinical signs of prostatic disease in dogs include constipation as evidenced by tenesmus, ribbon like feaces, dysuria, prepucial discharge and abnormal gait (Kutzler and Yeager, 2005). However, these clinical signs are often misinterpreted and the disease is frequently overlooked. If the condition remains untreated, it may result in renal failure or toxemia. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to rule out the existence of prostatic diseases in all aged male dogs by a Veterinary Physician, particularly, when they are presented with one or the other clinical signs commonly associated with prostatic disease.
J. Ind. Vet. Assoc., Kerala. 10 (1)
MATERIALS AND METHODS The data pertaining to the present investigation were generated following screening of all the male dogs aged over five years which were presented to the Out Patient Department of Clinical Medicine, Veterinary College Hospital, Hebbal, Bangalore during the period between November 1st th 2007 and April 30 2008. Details about the signs exhibited were derived by both enquiries to the owners and general clinical examination of the
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patient. The disease was confirmed in dogs by a combination of diagnostic techniques like rectal palpation, ultrasonography and prostatic fluid examination. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Constipation was the most common presenting sign seen in 66.7 per cent of the dogs suffering from the disease followed by inappetence in 53.3 per cent, hemorrhagic prepucial discharge and dysuria in 46.7 per cent dogs each. Abnormal gait were noted in 40 per cent of the cases and signs like vomiting, and poor body condition were each seen in 33.33 per cent of the affected animals. Hematuria was seen in 20 per cent of the cases and pyuria and presence of purulent urethral discharge was each noted in 6.7 per cent of the cases (Table 1). Physical examination of dogs suffering from prostatic disease revealed presence of pyrexia and dehydration in 33.3 per cent of the affected animals and poor body condition in 26.7 per cent animals. Pain upon palpation of the caudal abdomen was noted in 6.7 per cent of the diseased animals (Table 2).