Prostate All male domestic animal species possess a prostate gland. Disorders of the prostate gland are mainly a problem in the dog in which species the prostate is relatively large. Prostatic function is under the influence of androgens and, in the dog, it is largely responsible for the volume of ejaculate produced. The prostate gland is bilobed and usually rests within the pelvic canal. It is the result of an hormonal imbalance, in particular of a low ratio of estrogen to androgen.
Bacterial prostatitis is probably the second most common prostatic disorder in dogs.
The condition can be painful. Some degree of chronic prostatitis is present in the majority of mature and older dogs. Primary prostatic neoplasms are practically unkown in any species other than in man and in the dog. In dogs, carcinomas and adenocarcinomas occur and are associated with a guarded prognosis in that prostatic neoplasms readily metastasize to iliac lymph nodes, lumbar parts of the spine and the lungs. Prostatic neoplasms feel firm due to sclerosis, are asymmetric, have satellite nodules in the vicinity and adhere to tissues of the pelvic canal.