Pathology of the prostate gland in dogs

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence and nature of pathological conditions of the canine prostate. A detailed systematic examination of 100 carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail. The study confirmed prostatic disorders as an age related problem and also warned that involvement of the prostate in concurrent pathological affections of the urogenital system should not be overlooked. Heavy breeds like the German shepherds were found to be the most susceptible to prostatic diseases. An age related increase was also seen in the prostatic weight, circumference and length. Prostatic lesions could be encountered in 49 per cent of the cases. The most common prostatic disease encountered in this study was benign prostatic hyperplasia followed by prostatitis, prostatic atrophy, prostatic adenocarcinoma and squamous metaplasia. Glandular, cystic and complex types of hyperplasia could be observed. The identification of prostatic adenocarcinoma in a castrated dog pointed to the necessity to study the role of extra gonadal sex hormones in prostate carcinogenesis. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. were isolated from cases of prostatitis. Acid phosphatase activity was more for hyperplastic and neoplastic prostates when compared to the normal prostate. This indicated that prostatic acid phosphatase could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of canine prostate cancer both by impression smears and cryostat sections.