VGO 511: Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques (1+1)

PROSTITIS

• Disease of the prostate gland is not common in all animals except the dog in which prostatitis and hyperplasia of the prostate are common.

• Tumors of the prostate are uncommon. Senile atrophy of the prostate in intact male dog is rare.

Prostatitis in the dog is often associated with hyperplasia of the gland.

TOP

• It is probably due to an ascending infection through the urethra but may occur secondary to hematogenous infection or even descending infections.
• A wide variety of organisms have been isolated from infected glands including B.canis, E.coli, Streptococci and Proteus.
• Acute prostatitis in the dog is a diffuse or local suppurative inflammatory reaction with a tendency for abscess formation.
• Bacteria, leukocytes, and blood are frequently found in the urine or observed at the preputial orifice.
• This should be differentiated from a balanoposthitis.
• Acute prostatitis may be painful and characterized by constipation, an arched back, elevated temperature and pulse rate, occasionally anorexia and vomiting, and possibly a leucocytosis. Palpation of the infected gland per rectum causes pain and “splinting” of the abdomen.
• Chronic prostatitis is occasionally observed.
• The treatment of prostatitis is frequently successful.
• Parenteral injections of broad range antibiotics are indicated over a prolonged period.
• If the ordinary antibiotics do not control the infection, cultures of the prostatic secretions may be made and the antibiotic sensitivity of the causative organism determined.
• If prostatitis is due to B.canis the prognosis is poor. Low doses of X- radiation may be of value in reducing the inflammation in some cases.
• Clinical prostatitis in the bull and boar is rare and may be caused by B.abortus or suis.

TOP