Bleeding from prostate

[ANJ]

Hi everyone,

Following several urine samples including an ultrasound and a sample taken directly from Otis' bladder, our vet believes that the blood spotting and occasional larger volumes of diluted blood stains may come from his prostate.  Possibly smaller cysts which keep bursting.
During the past couple of months since this started, Otis has displayed no discomfort.
No stones or anything else was noted on the ultrasound scan.

The advise is now to have him castrated or possibly take a biopsy of the prostate as well as having a prostate wash carried out.

I have looked back at previous forum posts and can see some similar post about blood stains.
I cannot see anything about prostatic washes nor biopsies.
I was wondering if anyone know of those procedures.

I am a bit at a loss what to do next.  I did not initially wish to castrate but feel like this is now a necessity but at the same time, I have also read, that castration does not guarantee that prostate issues are resolved.

My own vet suggests that I castrate and at the same time get a biopsy taken to rule out cancer of the prostate, however, if Otis has cancer in the prostate, then a castration is pointless....

Any thoughts or advise what actions you would take?  Otis is 6 ½ btw.

Thanking you in advance.... 

[Helen]

I know of 2 cockers who have died from sepsis caused by cysts bursting in their prostate so to me I would say castrate. One was 7 and one was 9.  Far too young 

My 11 year old had an enlarged prostate and an inconclusive biopsy.  We opted for castration as we didn't want to give him chemical castration for the rest of his life.  Castration and the removal of hormones has helped the prostate reduce to a normal size, and thankfully prostate cancer is quite rare.  Enlarged prostates in entire dogs however is extremely common. Ask your vet if you could opt for chemical castration first if you are unsure - if the prostate reduces in size then it's not cancerous and you could go ahead and castrate.

With my dog the enlargement led to the prostate pressing on the bowel affecting his stools and consequently one side of his anal glands wouldn't express properly.  He then had months of infections and antibiotics and eventually anal gland removal. 

Hope this helps   

[Xensgirl]

Sorry to hear this. If Otis were my dog I would have him referred to Specialist. My main concern would be if there's any cancer present. I'm wondering why you cannot have a biopsy first before castration? I'm sure a Specialist Vet could carry out an ultrasound and actually see what is going on before any surgery is carried out.
Otis is very young to be having prostrate problems. I would definitely have him referred.
I hope hes better soon....hugs 😊

[PennyB]

a neighbour's dog had cancer/a tumour in the prostrate and castrating him helped loads but saying that when Wilf was at Langford with IMTP they were also going to do a prostrate wash (even though he had been castrated at 8 months)

[Helen]

Sorry to hear this. If Otis were my dog I would have him referred to Specialist. My main concern would be if there's any cancer present. I'm wondering why you cannot have a biopsy first before castration? I'm sure a Specialist Vet could carry out an ultrasound and actually see what is going on before any surgery is carried out.
Otis is very young to be having prostrate problems. I would definitely have him referred.
I hope hes better soon....hugs 😊

Jarvis had an ultrasound and a biopsy.  Both were inconclusive.  Prostate enlargement is very common and can start in middle age.  I don't see that there's a need to have him referred yet as the vet is carrying out normal procedures in this situation. 


 

[ANJ]

Thanks for your responses

Otis is booked in for castration in two weeks time. We may at the same time do the biopsy and flushing but our vet did confirm that these tests can come up inconclusive.

Thanks again for your responses. It helped us make our minds up. Xx