Prostate cancer in dogs: a general picture (Article)

Obviously PCa in dogs, which we know occurs, isn't something we really need to know about.

But as the article linked below makes clear, there are some interspecies similarities between PCa in humans and dogs, so that knowing at least a little about the workings of the disease in canines may offer us some different perspectives on our own human PCa.

Besides, for those of us who are dog lovers, and who may even own a male one right now, learning at least a bit about this disease in our pets is useful.

In particular, understanding that many of the symptoms of it in dogs are quite similar to those in men (see article) may enable us better to notice such symptoms when we start to see them happening in our own dogs, and it's time to take Fido to the vet.

The article notes that there are even treatment options that can be followed when PCa is detected in dogs, although it doesn't say whether a specialized vet needs to be consulted, or what the cost of such treatment might be.

From the article:

"(canine PCa is) more common in large breeds and older dogs around nine or ten years of age."

"The most common effective treatment for prostate cancer in dogs is a combination of NSAIDs, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This can increase survival time an average of 20 months. Incontinence, gastrointestinal toxicosis, or genitourinary toxicosis can be side effects of this treatment."

And I assume an increase in survival time of 20 months in dogs, would, thinking in "dog years," be roughly equivalent to three years in humans? But that's probably apples and oranges.

But the article does give us a little more knowledge about PCa, how it operates in another species, and maybe as well enables us to feel a little bit of empathy for the faithful companion laying at our feet, when we realize that PCa can be a problem for him too.

https://dogtime.com/dog-health/canine-cancer/2996-prostrate-cancer-canine-cancer-library

I'll read this to my female German Shepherd, but I doubt she'll bother listening. (per usual)

Whether or not your canine companion has been neutered and WHEN that was done (if) have a lot to do with the odds of him/her getting various cancers.

After my sweet Lady Labrador suddenly died from hemangiosarcoma after dealing with mast cell sarcoma for years, I studied this issue before I adopted my current canine companion. There are several pertinent studies out there now - the Vishla study, the Rottweiler study and the Labrador + Golden Retriever studies were pivotal in my research.

The conclusion in my case was this: an intact female Labrador retriever is at greater risk for breast cancer than a neutered female Lab. An unaltered female Lab is a very great risk of getting a sudden, fatal infection of the uterus about age 8 on. A female Lab neutered before she has had her first period or after 2 years of age is at increased risk of hip dysplasia and some cancers, including mast cell sarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. However, getting spayed soon after her first period and before she is 2 years old very much reduces the chances that she will get those diseases.

The statistics are similar for males, though prostate cancer is more pronounced and breast cancer is less, for obvious reasons.