Canine Prostatic Disease Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Prostatic diseases are common in intact male dogs and represent a significant category of reproductive and urinary pathology on the NAVLE. The prostate gland is the only accessory sex gland in male dogs and is located caudal to the urinary bladder, completely encircling the proximal urethra. Disease of the prostate accounts for 3-10% of intact male dogs presented to veterinary practitioners. The four major prostatic disorders include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, prostatic abscess, and prostatic neoplasia. Understanding the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of each condition is essential for board examination success and clinical practice.

Prostate Anatomy and Physiology

The canine prostate gland is a bilobed structure that completely encircles the proximal urethra immediately caudal to the bladder. It is the sole accessory sex organ in male dogs. The gland produces prostatic fluid, a liquid rich in calcium, citric acid, simple sugars, and enzymes that constitutes approximately 25-30% of seminal plasma.

Hormonal Control

Prostate growth and function are androgen-dependent. Testosterone produced by the testes is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase within prostatic epithelial cells. DHT binds to androgen receptors and is the primary hormone controlling prostatic growth, secretory function, and maintenance. Castration leads to prostatic involution due to absence of androgenic stimulation.