CANINE BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS

In acute bacterial prostatitis the history should indicate an acute onset of signs including dripping of blood or pus from the urethra independent of urination. Systemic signs such as fever, depression, aporexia, vomiting, and dehydration may also be present. Physical examination usually reveals pain on palpation of the caudal abdomen and on rectal palpation of the prostate. Prostatic size is normal to slightly enlarged. Leukocytosis is present. Urinalysis usually indicates urinary tract infection. If an ejaculate can be obtained or the urethral discharge collected, the causative organism should be determined by quantitative culture. If an affected dog will not ejaculate because of pain, quantitative urine culture should be used to direct therapy. Prostatic massage, aspiration, and biopsy could potentially induce bacteremia or localized or generalized peritonitis. Therapy includes appropriate antibiotic therapy for at least two weeks after remission of clinical signs and examination of an ejaculate after termination of therapy.