• Benign hyperplasia and hypertrophy is an age-related condition common in dogs of 5 years or older.
• Testosterone is metabolised to 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and long-term exposure to DHT causes enlargement of the prostate.
• The condition is not seen in the castrated male.
• Signs: many dogs are asymptomatic.
• Early signs may include hemospermia with later hemorrhagic discharge at the penile tip not related to urination.
• Pollakiuria (abnormally frequent urination) may be noted.
• Defecatory tenesmus and constipation occur later.
• Non-painful, symmetrical bilateral enlargement of the prostate.
• Stranguria and dysuria are not common.
• Diagnosis: history, clinical signs and ultrasound examination.
• Treatment: surgical castration or hormonal therapy (eg 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, progestogens, or GnRH agonists).
• Prognosis: good.

Presenting signs

• Many dogs are asymptomatic but prostatic enlargement can be confirmed by rectal palpation.
• Early signs may include hemospermia identified at the time of semen collection.
• Classical presentations have a hemorrhagic discharge at the penile tip that is not related to urination.
• Defecatory tenesmus occurs later in the disease.
• Pollakiuria (abormally frequent urination) may be noted.
• The owner may report constipation.
• The condition may be associated with rectal diverticulae and perineal hernia.
• Stranguria and dysuria are not common.

Age predisposition

• Clinical disease seen most commonly in dog >5 years old (16% of dogs have histologic evidence of BPH by 2 years of age; 50% by 4-5 years of age).

Cost considerations

• Moderate expenses incurred in diagnostic makeup, eg radiography, ultrasonography, prostatic fluid collection, etc.
• Loss of breeding potential in stud dog.