Prostate is an important part of the male reproductive organ. It secretes a fluid containing simple sugars, citric acid, calcium and a number of enzymes that protect the seminal fluid and aid in mobility and survival of sperm so that it can fertilize a viable egg.
Hyperplasia defines a condition of abnormal growth of cells in any region of the body. Benign means non-painful. Hence, Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. It is an age-related problem that can affect upto 95% intact dogs by the time they reach the age of 9 years or more.
Most dogs do not show any symptoms at all. Following are few of the possible symptoms related to this condition:
Bloody discharge from urethra
Blood in urine
Blood in ejaculate
Difficulty in urination
Difficulty with defecation
Ribbon like stools
Other symptoms may be present if a prostatic infection or carcinoma (malignant tumor) develops
